On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the "Kade Het Nieuwe Werk" (Quay) was officially opened with a celebratory ceremony. The quay had reached the end of its lifespan and was in urgent need of replacement. The Port of Den Helder took advantage of the renovation to future-proof the quay by designing a waterbed depth of 9 meters below NAP (Normal Amsterdam Ordnance Datum). The current bottom is 7 meters below NAP, but deepening the waterway will allow the Port to accommodate larger offshore vessels on this quay.
A total of 280 meters of quay were renovated. The quay is constructed with sturdy tubular piles and sheet piles, anchored to the subsurface and finished with a concrete structure. This structure extends below the water's surface to prevent rust formation. In addition, a special system was installed that applies a gentle current to the steel sections, further preventing rust. Main contractor De Klerk Waterbouw carried out the work, and engineering firm Iv-Infra was responsible for the design, tendering, supervision, and project management. The quay area was redesigned, and contractor K. Dekker took care of the concrete and paving. All in all, a successful project with a fantastic result. With this renovation, Den Helder now has a modern, robust, and future-proof quay that will last for decades to come.
Kees Turnhout, Port Director of Den Helder, is pleased with the result: "With this new quay, we're adding a future-proof offshore terminal to our port. And by deepening the quay wall in advance, this terminal is ready to accommodate larger offshore vessels in the future, for example, for maintenance of offshore wind turbines. So, we're not just using the renovated quay but also continuing to develop the port within the maritime cluster."“
Signing of the Collaboration Agreement for the Widening of the Nieuwe Diep Quay. Prior to the opening of the quay, Water Board Member Arnold Langeveld (Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board), Alderman Fotigui Camara (Den Helder Municipality), and Director Kees Turnhout (Port of Den Helder) signed the collaboration agreement "Widening the Quay of Het Nieuwe Diep." This agreement is part of the Havendijk Dike Reinforcement project. Thanks to the Water Board's dike reinforcement, the dike meets the required water safety standards. In addition, the Water Board also wants to participate in the future development of the Den Helder port. This will be achieved by considering a wider quay, the future deepening of the navigation channel, and a good connection to the Nieuwe Werk (New Work) in the dike design. The collaboration agreement includes sound agreements regarding the execution and cost allocation of this work. The dike reinforcement is expected to be completed in 2026/2027. For more information about the harbour dike developments, visit https://www.hhnk.nl/havendijk.
Developments in the Maritime Cluster The Maritime Cluster is a partnership between various organizations and government bodies (such as the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Province of North Holland, the Municipality of Den Helder, the Port of Den Helder, and the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board) involved in developments in the Den Helder port. It encompasses a wide range of activities, such as renovating and widening quays, replacing and relocating the Moorman Bridge, and developing Buitenveld for the quartering of defense personnel. The renovated quay, "Het Nieuwe" (The New Quay), is important for the Maritime Cluster because it strengthens the port infrastructure and prepares it for the future. Port Alderman Fotigui Camara: “With the opening of the Het Nieuwe Werk quay, we are taking the first visible step in the renewal of our port and the Maritime Cluster projects. This is just the beginning, because thanks to the collaboration with the water board, almost 600 meters of wider and deeper quay will be added in the coming years. This widening is essential to accommodate larger seagoing vessels for both the offshore wind sector and the Royal Netherlands Navy. This marks the beginning of a major transformation for Den Helder.”
