Working at sea is tough, risky, and indispensable. The North Sea is undergoing rapid development: wind farms are being built, platforms maintained, cables laid, and new energy sources tapped. This requires smart technology, well-trained people, and companies that dare to innovate.
At the former Willemsoord naval shipyard in Den Helder, companies, knowledge institutions, and the Royal Netherlands Navy work under one roof: METIP, the Maritime Emerging Technologies Innovation Park. That location is no coincidence: for generations, Den Helder has been a city where maritime knowledge, technology, and collaboration come together.
At METIP, companies, knowledge institutions, the Royal Netherlands Navy, and new technical talent collaborate on a single ambition: to make working at sea safer and more sustainable. Not on paper, but in practice.
In Building 51, drones are being built that inspect offshore installations without anyone having to climb to height. Virtual reality helps naval personnel train for situations on board. Parts and even complete ship components are being made using 3D printing technology (Additive Manufacturing). Startup Slow Mill is developing technology to generate energy from waves. And Speeder Systems is working on a drone that can land vertically on an oil or wind platform: a flying ship that utilizes the so-called ground effect.
From challenge to opportunity
The tightness in the technical labor market is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Across the entire technical sector, seven out of ten companies are struggling with shortages. METIP turns this problem on its head and translates scarcity into innovation. Because when fewer hands are available, smart hands become all the more important.
Robotization, maritime drones, and the digitalization of maintenance and logistics are not a thing of the future; they are being developed and tested here. This creates solutions that not only improve work at sea but also create high-quality jobs in the region.
Faster from idea to market
METIP helps companies develop and test new technology faster. Entrepreneurs gain access to knowledge, testing facilities, and a network of partners here, enabling ideas to be brought to market more quickly. Established companies find technology here to innovate their processes. Startups are given the space to further develop their ideas. And knowledge institutions contribute directly to applications that matter.
Since March 2025, METIP has stood on its own feet as an independent foundation, and the Royal Netherlands Navy has strengthened its involvement for the next five years. The foundation is solid, and the network is growing.
Building a resilient region
Behind all this technology lies a greater goal: to make working in the North Sea safer and more sustainable. By collaborating on maritime challenges, from energy transition to safety, companies and knowledge institutions are jointly building a resilient economy in the northern part of North Holland.
Every entrepreneur who joins, every talent that gains experience here, and every collaboration that arises here contributes to the future of this region.
Anyone who wants to join in is welcome. Here at Willemsoord, in Den Helder.
Want to know more? Check out www.metip.nl
