From the magazine – The Netherlands, known for its mastery of water, boasts some of the most dynamic and vital ports in Europe. From the global powerhouse of the Port of Rotterdam, handling over 436 million tonnes of cargo annually, to specialised hubs like Amsterdam, Vlissingen, Groningen Seaports, and Den Helder, the Dutch port network represents a seamless connection between sea and land, industry and innovation.
This articles was written by Hengameh Farahpour, PhD, Offshore Structural Engineer, serving as Product Development Engineer at Bluewater Energy Services and editor of SWZ|Maritime, hengameh.farahpour@bluewater.com. The article appeared in SWZ|Maritime’s May 2025 issue.
Rotterdam, the world’s busiest port by annual cargo tonnage from 1962 until 2004, remains Europe’s largest port, covering more than 12,500 hectares. It handled over 13.8 million TEUs in 2024 and generated approximately € 882 million in port revenues. Amsterdam’s port, the fourteenth busiest port in Europe by total cargo tonnage, has been operational since the thirteenth century and specialises in bulk cargo and logistics innovation. It processes over 63 million tonnes of cargo each year.
Ports such as Groningen Seaports and Vlissingen have strategically expanded to serve the booming offshore energy sector, reflecting the Netherlands’ proactive maritime policy. Moerdijk and Zeeland Seaports have carved out positions in bulk chemicals and industrial processing, while northern ports like Eemshaven and Den Helder are emerging as offshore energy service hubs.
Rotterdam, Eemshaven, and Den Helder are particularly active in supporting offshore wind, oil and gas operations. Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte 2 expansion, of approximately 2000 hectares, even accommodates offshore fabrication yards and service operation vessels (SOVs). Eemshaven acts as a base port for several large offshore wind projects, such as Gemini and Hollandse Kust.
Yet among them, it is Den Helder that stands out for its dual role: combining offshore logistics and naval operations with a strategic focus on North Sea energy activities, a unique positioning in the Dutch maritime landscape.
Also read: VIDEO: Combat Support Ship in Den Helder for first time
Exceptional support ecosystem
Amid this rich landscape, Den Helder serves as a dual-use port critical to both national defence and offshore energy support. Although more modest in scale, handling approximately 2324 vessels and 265,000 tonnes of oil platform supplies annually, Den Helder’s strategic location at the northern tip of North Holland offers distinct advantages.
Conny van den Hoff, director of Den Helder Airport, says: ‘The collaboration between Port of Den Helder and Den Helder Airport, together, in tandem with the Knowledge Hub, forms a unique combination that takes full advantage of the strong geographical location. In this way, we jointly support the realisation and maintenance of the climate ambitions at sea.’
The roots of Den Helder’s maritime identity run deep. For centuries, it has been the strategic home of the Royal Netherlands Navy, a role it continues to play today with state-of-the-art facilities for surface and submarine fleets. The synergy between naval operations and commercial offshore logistics has created an exceptional support ecosystem, with services ranging from ship repair to dynamic logistics coordination for offshore construction and decommissioning projects.
The Willemsoord Dockyard, a relic of naval heritage, now hosts modern marine services companies supporting both traditional and renewable offshore energy sectors. The port is positioned close to North Sea oil and gas installations, such as K15-FA1 and L10-A, and in close proximity to the emerging Hollandse Kust and offshore wind zones north of the Wadden Islands.
Equipped with naval docks and berths measuring 200 metres and 120 metres in length respectively and a draught of 8.5 metres and 7 metres respectively, Den Helder is uniquely placed to act as a fast, reliable link between offshore operations and the onshore economy. Unlike other ports where tidal scheduling can delay operations, Den Helder’s open-water connection, aided by the protective presence of the island of Texel, enables 24/7 access for offshore supply vessels, anchor handling tugs, and subsea support ships.
The presence of offshore service vessels (OSVs), dynamic positioning (DP) drilling units, heavy-lift installation ships, and crew transfer vessels (CTVs) can reduce costly transit times, minimising downtime and maximising project efficiency. It is no coincidence that over fifty offshore companies specialising in subsea inspection, DP trials, and integrated logistics now cluster around Den Helder, providing inspection, maintenance, diving services, subsea engineering, and vessel management.
Sustainable support hub
Recent years have seen Den Helder take bold steps to align itself with the future of offshore energy. As the Netherlands aims to install over 21 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, Den Helder is positioning itself as a key support hub. Developments like the Energy Port project and Kooyhaven expansion, offering additional offshore wind energy activities, reflect a targeted strategy.
Infrastructure upgrades, through Vector 1, Vector 2, and Vector 3, from 2020 to 2030, will take place to reform oil and gas maintenance and energy hubs to renewable and hydrogen hubs. This transformation will position the port as a sustainable offshore logistics hub, aligned with climate-neutral goals.
Heavy-duty quays and laydown areas optimised for nacelles, monopiles, and blades, combined with helicopter support from De Kooy Airfield, enable rapid offshore deployment operations crucial for next-generation wind farm servicing and make Den Helder increasingly attractive for offshore renewables.
Kees Turnhout, former Director of Port of Den Helder, emphasises the port’s commitment to supporting renewable energy ventures: ‘Our port is a specialised O&M [operations and maintenance, Ed.] port for the offshore sector, with a fully equipped supply chain for this purpose. Together with Den Helder Airport, we extend two strong logistical arms over the North Sea, both by water and by air. In the coming years, we are committed to facilitating the maintenance of wind farms and other forms of sustainable energy production.’
Also read: Amsterdam and Den Helder ports to advance energy transition
Oranjewind
The Oranjewind Consortium (RWE and TotalEnergies) and the Scottish company SSE are the first major companies to establish themselves in Den Helder for the operations and maintenance of the Oranjewind wind farm. The Blue Port Centre, a former fish auction building, will serve as the onshore hub for the operation and maintenance teams. The wind farm, located approximately 53 kilometres from the Dutch coast, will have a capacity of 795 MW. RWE is leading the development, construction, and operation of the wind farm, while TotalEnergies brings its extensive offshore experience.
Matthias Esken, Oranjewind project director, highlights the port’s suitability: ‘The multifunctionality of the Blue Port Centre and its quay-side location makes it a perfect fit for our operations and maintenance of our Dutch North Sea wind project. The proximity and accessibility of Den Helder port and airport provide an efficient logistical solution for reaching our wind farm, enhancing our operational flexibility.’
Green hydrogen
At the same time, feasibility studies are advancing for green hydrogen bunkering stations, potentially allowing Den Helder to become one of the first North Sea ports offering zero-emission fuel for offshore support fleets. Den Helder is positioning itself as a key player in the transition to green hydrogen, with two significant initiatives underway. The port is developing a green hydrogen filling station at Kooyhaven, aimed at promoting zero-emission mobility for both road and water transport, supported by locally produced hydrogen.
Additionally, a blue hydrogen production facility is being established at Oostoever, where natural gas will be converted into hydrogen with CO2 captured and stored under the North Sea. These projects are integral to Den Helder’s strategic role in the broader “Holland Boven Amsterdam” energy transition plan, which seeks to establish the region as a major hub for sustainable hydrogen production by 2030.
Smart port
Digital twin models of quay infrastructure, predictive maintenance planning for terminal equipment, and integration with smart maritime logistics platforms are also under development, positioning Den Helder at the forefront of sustainable and smart offshore port operations.
Business opportunities in Den Helder are abundant and growing. As offshore oil and gas decommissioning ramps up and offshore wind construction accelerates, Den Helder offers attractive prospects for shipyards, logistics centres, fabrication facilities, and marine support service providers while integration into the European TEN-T Core Network Corridor guarantees access to European co-financing mechanisms.
Also read: Expansion for Den Helder naval port
Proactive stance needed
Challenges remain, of course. Berth capacity during peak offshore campaigns must be expanded, and competition with ports like Eemshaven and IJmuiden requires constant innovation. Skilled labour shortages in marine engineering, subsea robotics, and dynamic positioning operations pose a threat to sustained growth. Targeted workforce development programmes, such as collaborations with TU Delft and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, are critical to ensuring Den Helder’s technical readiness.
As noted by Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, ‘Feedstock and energy transition is not only a technical matter, it deals with legislation, international supply chains, geopolitics – there’s a lot that comes into it. In the end, getting everything together for commercial companies to take a positive final investment decision on an upgrade or a new-build that supports the energy transition, that is a daunting task.’
This complexity highlights the importance of proactive investment, digital leadership, and strategic specialisation in shaping the future of the maritime economy. The winners of tomorrow’s offshore industry will not only navigate technical challenges, but will also prioritise attracting skilled offshore engineers, subsea specialists, and marine technicians to fully capitalise on the growing offshore boom.
Roel Salden, new director of Port of Den Helder: ‘I recognise myself in the (logistical) dynamics of a port and, above all, the ambition and (energy) transition task that Port of Den Helder will face in the coming period.’
Compelling proposition
Nonetheless, Den Helder’s proactive stance bodes well for its future. Its phased expansion strategy, public-private partnerships, and resilience-building efforts align closely with broader national goals for offshore renewable energy leadership and maritime innovation. The port is actively deepening berths, strengthening quay structures, and upgrading hinterland road connections, all vital to scaling up operations for the next decade of offshore growth.
Den Helder offers a compelling proposition: a port with deep maritime roots, cutting-edge offshore capabilities, and a strategic position just a stone’s throw from the North Sea’s energy frontier. As the global push toward offshore energy intensifies, Den Helder stands ready, not just as a gateway to offshore fields, but as a gateway to the future.
Picture (top): Den Helder offers a compelling proposition: a port with deep maritime roots, cutting-edge offshore capabilities, and a strategic position (photo by Flying Focus).
