Ivan Boyko15:30, 08.05.25

The Netherlands’ new combat support ship, Den Helder, has officially arrived at its home port and been integrated into the Royal Navy. The ship was built using 4,760 tonnes of steel from Metinvest Group’s Azovstal steelworks , which was delivered before the full-scale invasion in 2020-2021. In addition, Den Helder’s construction included 240 tonnes of steel from Italy’s Metinvest Trametal.  

Den Helder is almost 180 meters long and is designed for a main crew of 76, with the ability to accommodate an additional 80. It is capable of servicing up to six ships at a time, transporting over eight million liters of fuel, as well as significant amounts of food, water, ammunition and other critical resources.

Construction of the ship began in December 2020. It will officially join the fleet on October 1, 2025, under the name HNLMS Den Helder. The ship is scheduled to be fully commissioned in mid-2026.

“It is especially valuable that steel from the Mariupol Azovstal plant of Metinvest Group was used for the construction. This is not just metal, it is a symbol of the indomitability of Ukrainians and a contribution to strengthening the defense capabilities of our partners.

This is one of the last projects in which Azovstal steel was used, and such news is especially important for us – as a reminder of the importance of our team’s work and a good memory of Mariupol and our enterprise, destroyed by the enemy during a full-scale war,” says Natalia Kryvoshey, Head of External Procurement at Metinvest-SMC. 

We remind you that the future flagship of the Ukrainian Navy, the corvette “Hetman Ivan Mazepa”, was also built from Mariupol steel produced by Metinvest. The products of the Azovstal and Ilyich steelworks were supplied for it. At the end of last year, the ship went on sea trials.

(c)UNIAN 2025