DEN HELDER - The Royal Netherlands Navy officially added a new supply vessel to its fleet on Wednesday with the commissioning of the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Zr.Ms. Den Helder. Vice Admiral Harold Liebregs, Commander of Naval Forces, announced the commissioning, calling it a major step in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Navy and its NATO partners.

“Today was an important moment for the Royal Navy: we commissioned the Combat Support Ship. From today, the ship proudly carries the name Zr.Ms. Den Helder,” said Liebregs. The vessel is named after the North Holland city that has long been home to the Navy and its sailors.

Described as a “floating warehouse and gas station,” the CSS Den Helder is designed to refuel and resupply other naval vessels with fuel, ammunition, and provisions, allowing them to remain deployed longer and operate more effectively. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, enabling specialized teams to perform surgical operations at sea.

In the coming months, the ship will undergo extensive trials and training exercises, with the aim of becoming fully operational in 2026.

The commissioning of the CSS fits within the Navy’s broader fleet modernization program. Just last week, the Navy introduced twelve new Alunaut inflatable boats, and soon it will welcome the Vlissingen, the first of a new class of mine countermeasure vessels. “The renewal of the fleet is now truly gaining momentum,” Liebregs said. “And that renewal is urgently needed, because the enemy does not wait.”

With Zr.Ms. Den Helder, the Royal Netherlands Navy — in close cooperation with the Dutch shipbuilding industry — aims to build a modern fleet capable of meeting the demands of today’s conflicts and the challenges of tomorrow.