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 build 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]
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 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]
Safety reasons. Ships will not be allowed to be moored alongside each other when there are explosives (missiles, torpedoes, etc.) on board.[citation needed]
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]
"Hoe Den Helder aan Het Nieuwe Diep komt"(PDF). Klaar Voor Onderwater (in Dutch). Vol. 33, no. 111. Den Helder: Onderzeedienst Reünistenvereniging. March 2010. pp. 19–22.
