The Royal Netherlands Navy’s new combat support ship has arrived for final outfitting at Damen Naval shipyard in Vlissingen-Oost.
The future CSS Den Helder (A834) departed from Damen’s Galați shipyard in Romania, successfully completing sea acceptance tests and simulated emergency scenarios en route to the Netherlands.
It will undergo final enhancements prior to its handover to the Dutch defense ministry’s Materiel & IT Command (COMMIT) by spring next year.
“CSS Den Helder is the second tanker besides HNLMS Karel Doorman, and we really need it for the Royal Netherlands Navy’s permanent supply capacity,” said COMMIT Project Manager CSS captain Joost Meesters.
CSS Den Helder
CSS Den Helder will replace the supply ship HNLMS Amsterdam decommissioned in 2014, providing fuel, ammunition, water, food, spare parts, and emergency assistance to other naval vessels.
With a length of 179.3 meters (588 feet) and a displacement of around 22,300 tons, it can accommodate 75 crew members in addition to 75 other passengers.
It can also fit several helicopters, around 20 containers, and two 40-ton cranes.
Its cargo capacity is close to HNLMS Karel Doorman, carrying 7,600 cubic meters (268,396 cubic feet) of diesel (F76) and 1,000 cubic meters (35,315 cubic feet) of helicopter fuel (F44), both including self-use.
The ship can sail at a speed of more than 18 knots (21 miles/32 kilometers per hour).
Additionally, Den Helder was designed to support a task force of six ships even in inclement weather and it can operate under high threat with frigate protection.