During an official signing ceremony, Holland Shipyards Group has sealed its first-ever contract with the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The Dutch shipbuilder will construct two advanced floating training platforms, Uhlenbeck and Thetis, designed to support a wide range of maritime training operations for Defence personnel.
The contract also includes a fifteen-year maintenance period, highlighting the long-term collaboration and trust between both parties.
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Two platforms, one mission: readiness
Both Uhlenbeck and Thetis are concrete structures built on pontoons and will be moored in Den Helder, serving as next-generation training facilities.
The Uhlenbeck platform (60 x 13.8 metres) is tailored to provide operational dive training. It features:
- A robust concrete pontoon with technical installations and storage below deck.
- A working deck with two knuckle-boom cranes for boat handling and lifting operations.
- Boat storage and maintenance areas, including a workshop, protosorb room and mezzanine.
- Instructional spaces including decompression and assembly rooms.
The larger Thetis platform (64 x 16 metres) offers an extensive training environment across five decks, including:
- Changing rooms and gear storage for diving units.
- Facilities for rinsing and drying dive equipment.
- Control room and briefing areas for mission simulations.
- Training setups for maritime boarding, underwater approaches, helicopter hoisting and fast-roping.
- Direct connection to the Uhlenbeck platform for integrated operations.
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Built in partnership
This project is being realised in a strong consoritum alongside: De Vries Werkendam, DWT Group, DMI-KBW, Antea Group and Royal Haskoning BV.
The platforms are designed to serve both current and future needs for Defence training, with durability, adaptability, and operational performance at their core.
Holland Shipyards Group calls the contract ‘more than a project: it’s a milestone. As a shipyard known for tackling complex and specialised builds, we’re honoured to support the Netherlands’ Defence capabilities with innovative, mission-driven infrastructure.’
Picture: Both Uhlenbeck and Thetis are concrete structures built on pontoons and will be moored in Den Helder (image by Holland Shipyards).
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