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Naval shipbuilder Damen Naval has handed over the new Combat Support Ship 25 Mar 2025
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. 
The Combat Support Ship Den Helder enters its home port of Den Helder for the first time. Image by Damen Shipyards Group
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." 
After departing from Vlissingen on 14 March, the vessel continued its sea trials, during which various Sea Acceptance Tests were conducted. Image by Damen Shipyards Group 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. 
On the bridge of the Combat Support Ship Den Helder, the handover of the vessel was formalised by COMMIT Commander Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman (front left) and Damen Naval Managing Director Roland Briene (front right). Standing (from left to right): Commander of the CSS, Lieutenant Commander Stefjan Veenstra, Damen Naval Project Director Arjan Risseeuw, and COMMIT Project Manager CSS captain (RNLN) Joost Meesters. Image by Damen Shipyards Group Damen Shipyards Group press release 
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