Nieuwe Haven Naval Base

Already before World War I, Willemsoord had become too small for major warships. The wet dock was {{convert|325|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|135|m|ftin|abbr=on}} wide. The entrance was at the long side, and by then even light cruisers were about {{convert|120|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long. In the 1920s the light cruiser Java of {{convert|155|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 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.De Tijd [http://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=nieuwe+haven+den+helder&coll=ddd&page=2&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1950-1959%7C&identifier=ddd%3A011201312%3Ampeg21%3Aa0059&resultsidentifier=ddd%3A011201312%3Ampeg21%3Aa0059 Bouw nieuwe marinehaven vordert snel, 18 January 1952], accessed 20 September 2017 (via Delpher.nl) In 1947 it was decided Den Helder would become the Netherlands' main naval base.A.P. van Vliet, Vijftig jaar 'Nieuwe haven' 1954-2004, NIMH. A definitive plan for the new harbor was completed in 1948 and estimated its cost at 29 million florins.

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 build the base. The new western part was officially opened in 1954 by {{HNLMS|Karel Doorman|R81|6}}.[https://web.archive.org/web/20131102055943/http://www.defensie.nl/nimh/geschiedenis/tijdbalk/1945-1990/symbolische_opening_van_de_nieuwe_marinehaven_in_den_helder_(2_juli_1954) Opening van de nieuwe marinehaven in Den Helder (2 juli 1954)], NIMH. The rest of the base was completed in 1958.

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

In 2015 it was reported that a new shore power supply was installed at the Nieuwe Haven Naval Base which consists of a high-voltage cable of 6.6 kilovolts.{{cite web |author=Jopke Rozenberg-van Lisdonk |date=11 February 2015 |title=Wereldprimeur in Helderse haven |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2015/01/06_walvoeding |website=Alle Hens |publisher=Defensie.nl |language=Dutch}}

File:Future expansion - Nieuwe Haven Naval Base.jpg

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

• The navy is replacing a number of ships over the coming years. This will expand the fleet, both in the number of ships and the size of the new vessels.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• Safety reasons. Ships will not be allowed to be moored alongside each other when there are explosives (missiles, torpedoes, etc.) on board.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The expansion is estimated to cost between €100 million and €250 million, and should be finished by 2029.{{cite web|url=https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/04/11/uitbreiding-voor-marinehaven-den-helder |title=Uitbreiding voor marinehaven Den Helder |publisher=Ministerie van Defensie |date=2023-04-11 |access-date=2023-04-12 |language=nl}} It will include new mooring facilities and create more space on the quays which can be used for storing containers and vehicles.{{cite journal |last1=Margés |first1=Joost |date=11 April 2023 |title=Flinke uitbreiding afmeercapaciteit |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2023/03/06_uitbreiding-afmeercapaciteit |journal=Alle Hens |volume= |language=Dutch |issue=3 |pages= |doi= |access-date=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/april/13045-dutch-navy-s-nieuwe-haven-naval-base-to-be-expanded.html |title= Dutch Navy's Nieuwe Haven naval base to be expanded |author= |date=12 April 2023 |website= Navy Recognition |language= |publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}

The Battery Testing Center (Dutch: Accu Test Centrum; ATC) is a facility at the Nieuwe Haven Naval Base that was established in 1988 to test, charge and discharge batteries.{{cite web |author=André Twigt |date=10 April 2024 |title=Vernieuwd, gemoderniseerd, veiliger |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2024/03/05_accu-test-centrum-weer-bij-de-tijd |publisher=Defensie.nl |website=Alle Hens |language=Dutch}} Since its inception it has been primarily used to test and charge the batteries that are aboard the submarines of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

Central Sickbay (Dutch: Centrale Ziekenboeg; CZB) is a hospital that provides healthcare for personnel of the Royal Netherlands Navy.{{cite web |author= Jack Oosthoek |date=15 July 2022 |title=‘In staat om toekomstbestendig te werken’ |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2022/06/06_nieuwe-centrale-ziekenboeg |website=Alle Hens |publisher=Defensie.nl |language=Dutch}}{{cite web |author= |date=25 March 2021 |title=Den Helder krijgt nieuwe centrale ziekenboeg |url=https://www.rijksvastgoedbedrijf.nl/actueel/nieuws/2021/03/25/den-helder-krijgt-nieuwe-centrale-ziekenboeg |website=Rijksvastgoedbedrijf |language=Dutch}}

Nieuwe Rijkswerf is a naval shipyard of the Royal Netherlands Navy that is used for ship repair and maintenance.{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Historie van de Marine onderhoudsbedrijven: Nieuwe Rijkswerf |url=http://hisdocmb.nl/nieuwe%20rijkswerf.htm |website=Historisch Documentatiecentrum Marinebedrijven |language=Dutch}}

• {{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=March 2010 |title=Hoe Den Helder aan Het Nieuwe Diep komt |url=https://www.klaarvooronderwater.nl/kvo/Kvo-111.pdf |magazine=Klaar Voor Onderwater |location=Den Helder |publisher=Onderzeedienst Reünistenvereniging |issue=111|volume=33 |pages=19-22|language=Dutch}}

{{Bases of the Royal Netherlands Navy}}

Category:Installations of the Royal Netherlands Navy

Category:Ports and harbours of the Netherlands

Category:Den Helder