Naval shipbuilder Damen Naval has handed over the new Combat Support Ship (CSS) Den Helder to the Command Materiel and IT organisation (COMMIT). During a ceremony in Den Helder, the home port of the supply and support vessel, Damen Naval Managing Director Roland Briene and COMMIT Commander Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman made the handover official. The CSS marks the first phase in the large-scale fleet renewal programme for the Royal Netherlands Navy.
The Combat Support Ship is of vital importance to the Royal Netherlands Navy’s permanent support and supply capacity, as well as that of its NATO partners. This innovative vessel is deployable worldwide and can provide ships at sea with fuel, food, water, ammunition, and other goods.
With a sense of pride, Damen Naval’s Managing Director Roland Briene said: “It is a special moment to hand over this complex and robust ship to COMMIT. From Vlissingen, the Den Helder has now arrived in its home port of Den Helder. The CSS is the first in a series of ships that will strengthen and modernise our fleet. With this, the Netherlands once again plays an important role in European naval shipbuilding. Cooperation in the production of defence materiel is becoming increasingly important, and Zeeland demonstrates it is playing at the highest level.”
Damen Naval Project Director Arjan Risseeuw adds: “After an intensive outfitting period in Vlissingen, we carried out a number of final tests during the transit of the ship to Den Helder. We have now largely addressed the points for attention from the earlier sea trials. Following the handover, we will assist with the integration of the weapon systems with the platform systems and finalise the remaining outstanding tasks. It has been a wonderful period of shipbuilding in Vlissingen, which certainly leaves us wanting more.”
Cooperation between Damen Naval and the Ministry of Defence is now running at full speed. As a strategic partner, Damen Naval is working closely with the Ministry on current and future projects, strengthening the naval construction sector.
“It feels good that the CSS is now in the port of Den Helder and that I have the honour of receiving the ship on behalf of COMMIT from Damen,” said COMMIT Commander Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman. “During the sea trials, the CSS performed as the robust supply vessel the Royal Netherlands Navy needs. Along with a new ship being handed over, we are also receiving all the ILS data required to ensure the ship’s continued operation. This means a significant part of the maintenance and support for the future is already being provided, ensuring the ship’s long-term readiness. As strategic partners, I have every confidence that we will continue to work together in close cooperation.”
CSS Den Helder was built at the Damen Naval yard in Galați, Romania, and departed from there in November 2024 for its first sea trial and the voyage to the Netherlands. The ship arrived on 13 December 2024 in Vlissingen-Oost, where Damen Naval carried out further work. On 22 February this year, the vessel was christened by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange.
On Friday 14 March, the CSS departed the Vlissingen yard to continue the sea trials. Various Sea Acceptance Tests (SATs) were conducted, including a replenishment at sea (RAS) with HNLMS Johan de Witt. Now that the ship has been handed over to COMMIT, work will continue under the responsibility of the Directorate of Materiel Sustainment (DMI) and the Joint IV Command (JIVC). They will begin commissioning the Sensor, Weapon, and Command System, and will manage the hardware-software integration within the Combat Management System. Later this year, the ship will be formally transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy and, upon entering service, will receive the royal designation: HNLMS Den Helder.
Damen Shipyards Group has been in operation for over ninety-five years and offers maritime solutions worldwide, through design, construction, conversion and repair of ships and ship components. By integrating systems we create innovative, high quality platforms, which provide our customers with maximum added value.
Our core values are fellowship, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and stewardship. Our goal is to become the world’s most sustainable shipbuilder, via digitalisation, standardisation and serial construction of our innovative vessels and through use of circular materials.
Damen operates 35 shipyards and 20 other companies in 20 countries, supported by a worldwide sales and service network. We deliver in the region of 100 vessels per year, with a total production value of over 3 billion euros. We offer direct employment to approximately 12,500 people. In all that we do, our aim to ensure a positive impact on the local environment and society.
Damen Naval – Securing Our Seas
Damen Naval is the only naval original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the Netherlands and has delivered more than 420 vessels to customers around the world, offering a role as designer, engineer, builder, integrator, and service provider throughout our ships’ lifecycle.
This year, we celebrate “150 years of naval excellence”. Five words that perfectly sum up Damen Naval. Our company started in 1875 as Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde (the Royal Schelde yard) and has grown into Damen Naval, part of the Damen Shipyards Group.
For our launching customer, the Dutch Ministry of Defence, Damen Naval is working strategically to renew and replace the Royal Netherlands Navy fleet. This includes the Combat Support Ship and the new Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates. In addition, Damen Naval leads a range of naval projects for NATO/EU partners, including the ASW frigates for the Belgian Navy and the F126 frigate programme for the German Navy.
While taking pride in our heritage, we are looking towards the future.
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