Nieuwe Haven Naval Base

Last updated
Nieuwe Haven Naval Base
Nieuwe Haven Naval Base Emblem.svg
Den Helder, North Holland in the Netherlands
Nieuwe Haven Den Helder.jpg
Aerial view of the base
Coordinates 52°57′21.6″N04°47′22.3″E / 52.956000°N 4.789528°E / 52.956000; 4.789528
TypeNaval Base
Site information
Owner Ministry of Defence
OperatorNaval Jack of the Netherlands.svg  Royal Netherlands Navy
Open to
the public		No
Site history
Built1949 (1949) - 1958 (1958)
In use2 July 1954 (2 July 1954) - present
Garrison information
Occupants Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy

Nieuwe Haven is a Royal Netherlands Navy base in Den Helder and the largest naval base in the Netherlands.

History

Already before World War I, Willemsoord had become too small for major warships. The wet dock was 325 m (1,066 ft 3 in) long and 135 m (442 ft 11 in) wide. The entrance was at the long side, and by then even light cruisers were about 120 m (393 ft 8 in) long. In the 1920s the light cruiser Java of 155 m (508 ft 6 in) could not visit the wet dock. After World War II, the Dutch government established a commission to find a site for a new naval base. It was given a choice between IJmuiden, Rotterdam, Vlissingen or Den Helder. [1] In 1947 it was decided Den Helder would become the Netherlands' main naval base. [2] A definitive plan for the new harbor was completed in 1948 and estimated its cost at 29 million florins. [1]

For the construction of the new harbor an area east of the Nieuwediep was selected. Construction started in 1949 when the mouth of the Nieuwediep was dammed off. Reclaimed land was used to built the base. The new western part was officially opened in 1954 by HNLMS Karel Doorman. [3] The rest of the base was completed in 1958. [1]

Since the move of the submarine service from Rotterdam to the Nieuwe Haven, all naval vessels have Den Helder as their home port.

2023 expansion plans (old situation top, new situation bottom) Future expansion - Nieuwe Haven Naval Base.jpg
2023 expansion plans (old situation top, new situation bottom)

In April 2023 expansion plans were revealed for the eastern part of the base. This work is needed for two reasons:

The expansion is estimated to cost between €100 million and €250 million, and should be finished by 2029. [4] It will include new mooring facilities and create more space on the quays which can be used for storing containers and vehicles. [5] [6]

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The Bolder class, formerly known as the Line Handling Work Boat, was announced on 21 November 2022 by the Royal Netherlands Navy. Its primary task will be the moving of large fenders and helping to dock larger ships at the Nieuwe Haven Naval Base by moving lines. The LHWB ships will replace the five ships from the Schelde class. They will be built by Stormer Marine in Hoorn. First delivery is planned for 2023 and the last should be delivered by 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 3 De Tijd Bouw nieuwe marinehaven vordert snel, 18 January 1952, accessed 20 September 2017 (via Delpher.nl)
  2. ↑ A.P. van Vliet, Vijftig jaar 'Nieuwe haven' 1954-2004, NIMH.
  3. ↑ Opening van de nieuwe marinehaven in Den Helder (2 juli 1954), NIMH.
  4. ↑ "Uitbreiding voor marinehaven Den Helder" (in Dutch). Ministerie van Defensie. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  5. ↑ Margés, Joost (11 April 2023). "Flinke uitbreiding afmeercapaciteit". Alle Hens (in Dutch) (3).
  6. ↑ "Dutch Navy's Nieuwe Haven naval base to be expanded". Navy Recognition. 12 April 2023.
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