Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen executes timely maintenance to Royal Netherlands Navy’s HNLMS De Ruyter
- Date
- March 2026
- Ship name
- HNLMS De Ruyter
- Ship type
- Defence and Security
- Yard
- Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen
- Tasks performed for this project
- Maintenance
On 17 March, the Royal Netherlands Navy’s (RNLN) HNLMS De Ruyter departed Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen after a short drydocking for regular maintenance. With the Seven Provinces-class frigate scheduled to take part in operations in the near future, time was of the essence.
Rapid turnaround
The Vlissingen yard, working in close collaboration with the RNLN, was able to complete the required work scope in just two weeks, following HNLMS De Ruyter’s arrival on 3 March. The work included some minor steel repairs, as well as replacement of all of the vessel’s 137 overboard valves.
Naval capabilities
The yard enjoys a long-standing relationship with the RNLN reaching back many years. Its track record of naval ship repair includes a similar scope of work – in a similarly tight timeframe – to the HNLMS De Ruyter’s sister vessel, HNLMS Tromp in 2022.
Both vessels benefitted from Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen’s capability to host vessels that are equipped with ordnance, making it the ideal location for maintenance of naval vessels on, or between, missions. At the time of writing, the yard is preparing to welcome the RNLN’s Joint Support Ship (JSS) Karel Doorman.
Close connections
A further advantage is Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen’s close proximity to, and direct connection with, Damen Naval, the OEM of the RNLN fleet.
Jeroen Schotel, Commercial Manager at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, said, “We were very pleased to welcome the RNLN, one of our biggest and most regular clients, back to our yard once again. The collaboration between our team and the RNLN was very good, leading to a very smooth docking, and resulting in the efficient turnaround that the RNLN required.”
Onward voyage
Following her departure, HNLMS De Ruyter returned to her home port of Den Helder to prepare for a forthcoming voyage, which includes her participation in the Rim of the Pacific exercise scheduled to take place in Hawaii in summer 2026.
HNLMS De Ruyter is named for Michiel de Ruyter, a Dutch Admiral of the 17th century, born in Vlissingen in 1607.