Damen Shipyards has initiated sea trials for the Royal Netherlands Navy’s upcoming Combat Support Ship, the HNLMS Den Helder, in Galati, Romania. This replenishment oiler vessel is set to replace the HNLMS Amsterdam, a 1990s-era ship that was retired in 2014 and subsequently sold to Peru.
The sea trials for the Den Helder will take the vessel through the territorial waters of NATO member countries, navigating significant maritime areas including the Danube River, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Following these trials, Damen has announced that the ship is on track to arrive in the Netherlands by next week. Upon its arrival, the Den Helder will undergo further upgrades, including the installation of advanced weapons systems and sensors at Damen’s facilities in Den Helder and Vlissingen.
Once commissioned, the Den Helder will play a pivotal role in supporting resupply missions, operating in Dutch territories as well as in collaboration with allied forces. The ship is designed to provide essential logistical support, including fuel, spare parts, ammunition, and various goods necessary for maintaining naval operations.
Measuring 180 meters (590 feet) in length, the Den Helder will accommodate up to 150 personnel, comprising crew and support staff. The vessel features provisions for approximately 20 ISO-standard metal containers, landing craft vehicles, and the capability to deploy up to two helicopters, which are expected to be of the NH90 medium-sized design.
To enhance its operational capabilities, the Den Helder will be outfitted with a 76-millimeter naval gun equipped with penetrating ammunition, surface-to-air missiles, and Lion Fish machine guns. It will also be powered by four Wärtsila engines, enabling the ship to achieve speeds of up to 20 knots (approximately 37 kilometers or 23 miles per hour).
As the Royal Netherlands Navy prepares to welcome the Den Helder into service, the ship is expected to significantly bolster the naval fleet’s logistics and operational capabilities, ensuring effective support during missions both domestically and internationally.
