The program began at Den Helder Airport and De Kooy Air Base. There, the delegation was briefed on how civil and military aviation complement each other in the areas of offshore energy and maritime safety. This was followed by a tour of the seaport, where the delegation gained insight into Den Helder’s role as the home port of the Royal Netherlands Navy and as a logistics hub for the offshore sector.
The port demonstrates how different functions reinforce one another: monitoring the North Sea, maintaining wind farms, and preparing new energy supply chains. Investments in port infrastructure are crucial to enabling these developments and advancing the energy transition.
The working visit concluded at the METIP innovation center. Here, the Royal Netherlands Navy, entrepreneurs, and research institutions collaborate on applications such as drones, virtual training environments, and 3D printing. METIP illustrates how innovation in Den Helder contributes to resilience, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship.
Port Councilor Fotigui Camara: “It is valuable that, through this working visit, we have demonstrated how Den Helder, as a strategic maritime hub, has been contributing to security, energy supply, and innovation on a national scale for decades. The combination of defense, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship makes our city a vital link in ensuring a safe and future-proof Netherlands.”
VNO-NCW Chair Ingrid Thijssen: “The new geopolitical reality makes it clear that we need to invest significantly more in our security. Den Helder demonstrates how resilience, the energy transition, and economic development can reinforce one another. This strengthens our national security and stimulates economic growth and innovation.”
