Damen: Dutch Navy’s new combat support ship Den Helder christened

The new combat support ship (CSS) Den Helder was christened at Damen Naval’s shipyard in Vlissingen, marking a significant milestone for the Royal Netherlands Navy.

As disclosed, the ceremonial event took place today (February 22, 2025), and the ship was christened by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange.

Princess Amalia spoke the traditional words “I name you Den Helder and wish you and your crew safe travels”, before smashing a bottle of champagne against the hull of the CSS.

48 months after the first steel was cut, the ship completed its maiden sea trials in December 2024. Following the christening, Damen Naval will carry out the final work before handing the vessel over to the Materiel & IT Command (COMMIT) of the Netherlands Ministry of Defense.

“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 сontinues 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,” said Damen Naval Managing Director Roland Briene.

Briene also highlighted that the christening of the CSS marks the beginning of a large-scale fleet replacement and reinforcement program for the Royal Netherlands Navy.

“Following the christening, the ship will undergo further sea trials, and the final systems will be installed by the Royal Netherlands Navy in Den Helder. Once everything meets our expectations, COMMIT will deliver a versatile, innovative, and future-proof CSS to our Royal Netherlands Navy,” Deputy Commander of COMMIT, Major General Harold Boekholt, added.

The last time a new Netherlands naval ship was christened was in 2014, when Minister of Defense Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert named the joint logistic support Ship (JSS) HNLMS Karel Doorman. The replenishment ship Den Helder is the second naval vessel, alongside HNLMS Karel Doorman, to have an essential logistical function, according to Damen.

The CSS is designed for global deployment and can also be used for humanitarian aid and the transport of goods. The vessel will be equipped with a Role 2 medical facility.

The nearly 180-meter-long ship will accommodate a core crew of 76, with space for an additional 80 personnel.

The new ship is designed to sustain a task force of six vessels at sea, even in adverse weather conditions, by supplying fuel, food, water, ammunition, and other essential goods. To support this role, the CSS can carry more than eight million liters of fuel, Damen noted.

This ship is the result of close cooperation between Damen Naval, the Ministry of Defense, and the entire network of national suppliers.

With its completion, they are taking the first step in the broader modernization of the Netherlands naval fleet. Additionally, this project supports the Maritime Manufacturing Industry Sector Agenda, reinforcing Vlissingen and Zeeland as key hubs for naval shipbuilding, it was concluded.

This year, Damen Naval marks 150 years since the founding of the Royal Schelde Shipyard (Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde) and 25 years as Damen Naval, the dedicated naval division of Damen Shipyards Group.