The vessel arrived on 22 December 2017, to join the slightly smaller 31.5m (103.3feet), donated by Australia in 1996. The vessel cost US$30 million. The donors also constructed a berth to moor and maintain the vessel, and committed to cover the vessel's fuel and maintenance costs until 2027.
Fleet-mate Remeliik was replaced in 2020 by the 39.5m (129.6feet), .
Kedam was commissioned on 13 February 2018. Dignitaries attending included President Thomas Remengesau Jr., Vice President and Minister of Justice Raynold Oilouch and Mitsuyuki Unno Executive Director of the Nippon Foundation.
Kedam is staffed by a crew of 15. The vessel is named after the "Great Frigate Bird of Palau".