Dutch Navy's Future Combat Support Ship Zr.Ms. Den Helder Begins First Sea Trials.

According to information published by the Dutch MoD on November 17, 2024, the Royal Netherlands Navy’s newest Combat Support Ship (CSS), Zr.Ms. Den Helder, has embarked on its maiden voyage, charting its course through the Danube River, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean.
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Future Royal Netherlands Navy's replenishment oiler HNLMS Den Helder. (Picture source: Dutch MoD)

Based on the design of the Joint Support Ship Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman, the Den Helder measures approximately 179.5 meters in length and 26.4 meters in width. It is equipped with two 40-ton cranes and can carry up to 24 sea containers. The ship has the capacity to dispense 7,600 cubic meters of diesel fuel, 1,000 cubic meters of helicopter fuel, and 434 tons of other goods, including ammunition. The vessel can accommodate up to two NH90 NFH helicopters or, alternatively, one NH90 NFH and two UAVs. It carries two LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) and two FRISC (Fast Raiding Intercepting Special Forces Craft). The ship's infirmary operates as a Role 2 hospital, providing limited hospital capability, including surgery.

The construction of the Den Helder began with the first steel cut on December 2, 2020, at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. The keel was laid on June 2, 2021, marking a significant milestone in the ship's assembly. In April 2022, a major section of the vessel, measuring 90 meters, was launched. By October 2022, the assembled ship was floated and moved to another part of the building dock, with work expected to continue through 2023.

Before the Zr.Ms. Den Helder, the Royal Netherlands Navy operated several replenishment oilers to support its fleet operations. The most recent of these were HNLMS Zuiderkruis and HNLMS Amsterdam.

Commissioned in 1975, HNLMS Zuiderkruis was a replenishment oiler designed to provide logistical support to naval vessels at sea. She played a vital role in refueling and supplying ships during extended deployments. After nearly four decades of service, Zuiderkruis was decommissioned on 10 February 2012 and subsequently scrapped in Turkey in 2014.

Following Zuiderkruis, HNLMS Amsterdam entered service in 1995 as a replenishment oiler. She was equipped to supply fuel, ammunition, and provisions to naval vessels, ensuring sustained maritime operations. In December 2014, Amsterdam was sold to Peru, leaving the Royal Netherlands Navy without a dedicated replenishment vessel.

To address the capability gap left by the decommissioning of these vessels, the Royal Netherlands Navy introduced HNLMS Karel Doorman (A833) in 2015. While primarily a multi-function support ship for amphibious operations, Karel Doorman also served as a temporary solution for replenishment needs. However, recognizing the necessity for a dedicated replenishment oiler, the navy initiated the development of Zr.Ms. Den Helder to restore and enhance its at-sea support capabilities.