The Royal Netherlands Navy has celebrated a milestone with the christening of its new Combat Support Ship (CSS), the future HNLMS Den Helder.
The new replenishment ship was christened by Princess of Orange Catharina-Amalia at Damen Naval’s shipyard in Vlissingen. This event is said to be the first christening of a new naval ship in the Netherlands since 2014.
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The project, executed by Damen Naval as the main contractor and national original equipment manufacturer, reached this stage exactly 48 months after the first steel was cut.
Damen Naval project director Arjan Risseeuw said: “During the first sea trials, the ship has proven to be a valuable addition to the Netherlands naval fleet.
“Since the contract was signed in 2020 – and even before that – all parties have worked on this ship with passion and dedication.
“That makes it even more special to see so many of our project partners here for the christening. It’s wonderful to see ones ‘baby’ in the spotlight like this.”
Damen Naval will now focus on completing the final works before the vessel’s handover to the Materiel & IT Command (COMMIT) of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.
The CSS Den Helder embarked on its journey to the Netherlands for the first time on 16 November 2024 and began its maiden sea trials in December 2024.
Den Helder, alongside the HNLMS Karel Doorman, is expected to play a logistical role in the navy’s operations.
It is designed for global deployment, including humanitarian aid missions and transport of goods.
The near 180 metre long CSS Den Helder is equipped to sustain a task force of six vessels at sea, even under adverse weather conditions.
It can carry more than 8 million litres of fuel and will feature a Role 2 medical facility. The ship has accommodation for a core crew of 76 and additional space for 80 personnel.
Damen Naval managing director Roland Briene said: “This is a special day for Damen Naval. It is a great honour to welcome the Princess of Orange to our shipyard. In doing so, she continues a long-standing tradition of the Royal Family’s connection to ships for the Royal Netherlands Navy, designed and built by De Schelde, now Damen Naval.”
The completion of the CSS Den Helder is part of a broader initiative to modernise the Netherlands naval fleet and supports the Maritime Manufacturing Industry Sector Agenda.
Looking ahead, Damen Naval and the Ministry of Defence will concentrate on various programmes developed through their strategic partnership.
These include the development of new anti-submarine warfare frigates, replacement of the air defence and command frigates, introduction of new amphibious transport ships, and more.
