On 1 October, the Royal Netherlands Navy officially commissioned the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Den Helder. During a festive ceremony, the vessel received the designation His Netherlands Majesty’s Ship (HNLMS) Den Helder. For the Navy, this marks a significant milestone in the strengthening and renewal of the fleet.
At the ceremony in Den Helder, the Navy hoisted the so-called war pennant on board HNLMS Den Helder. This centuries-old tradition symbolises commitment, honour, and the link with seafaring heritage. With this, HNLMS Den Helder is now formally recognisable as a warship that Defence can deploy for national and allied defence.
Also read: Princess Amalia christens Combat Support Ship Den Helder
Supply ship with medical facilities
The ship measures 179 metres in length, accommodates 76 crew members and around eighty additional personnel, and has a cargo capacity of twenty containers. Named after its home port, the vessel is uniquely tied to the city of Den Helder.
As a supply ship, HNLMS Den Helder provides other vessels at sea with fuel, ammunition, food, and spare parts. This reduces the need for national and international naval ships to interrupt operations. The vessel is also equipped with extensive medical facilities: the Role 2 hospital on board allows a specialist medical team to carry out surgeries and provide patient care. The Combat Support Ship therefore makes an important contribution to maritime operations worldwide.
Also read: VIDEO: Combat Support Ship in Den Helder for first time
First step in fleet renewal
The commissioning of HNLMS Den Helder represents the first step in modernising and strengthening the Royal Netherlands Navy fleet. In the coming years, new frigates, mine countermeasure vessels, and submarines will join the navy.
The next phase will focus on training and operational readiness. From 2026 onwards, the ship will be deployable. With its commissioning complete, HNLMS Den Helder will first head to the Caribbean for warm-weather trials, where the navy will test how the engines and systems perform in higher temperatures.
SWZ|Maritime’s September 2025 navy special features an article on HNLMS Den Helder. Subscribers can read this article here. Not yet a subscriber? Please visit our subscriptions page.
Photo: Two marines, one playing a trumpet. In the background, HNLMS Den Helder (photo by Dutch Ministry of Defence).
