While hard work is being carried out in Romania to get the Combat Support Ship Den Helder ready for her sea trials later this year, a project milestone was recently achieved. During an inclining test, various weights were moved from one side of the ship to the other to see how the CSS reacted to them.

“With the ship floating free, these tests determine the centre of gravity and the stability of the ship,” explains Project Director Arjan Risseeuw. “You have the values that were calculated during the design and the inclining test shows how the ship reacts in practice. We are still awaiting the final report, but I dare say the test was successful.”

Despite the success of the inclining test, the project faces delays. “This has everything to do with the fact that we have not finished commissioning yet because not all systems are connected,” Arjan says. “Commissioning is the last thing you do and if there are any delays earlier in the project, there are consequences. In the case of the CSS, many more cables than initially thought had to be laid.”

As a result of the delay, the sea trials will also be postponed and the ship will arrive in Vlissingen later than expected this summer for the outfitting period. Watch a video of the inclining test below.

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