Kooyhaven, the new regional port-related business park in Den Helder, has been officially opened. The first company that has confirmed its position in the Kooyhaven inner harbor is Glomar Offshore.
The company operates a diverse fleet of purpose-built offshore support vessels and[ds_preview] is regarded as a prominent player in the offshore market. Speaking about the development, Glomar Offshore CEO Klaas Weij comments: »With this expansion, we can offer even more service to both the oil and gas, and the wind industry.« Glomar Offshore is extending its activities to Kooyhaven with the establishment of warehouses for minor vessel repairs and mobilisations for the wind industry. »The arrival of Glomar clearly shows the benefits the whole offshore market can gain by establishing their activities in a forward-looking business park as Kooyhaven,« says Jacoba Bolderheij, Port of Den Helder Director.
The development of the Kooyhaven inner harbour started last year. The business park offers space for companies within the energy market supply chain which require port or waterfront connections. Kooyhaven also offers additional space for other sectors, that can benefit from the location, port and waterfront facilities, such as yachting and agribusiness. Situated in the Dutch municipality of ‘Hollands Kroon’, Kooyhaven also has good road connections and is less than an hour‘s drive from Schiphol International Airport. The Kooyhaven area has been ‘All Electric’ installed; meaning that a gas mains supply has not been used. Consumers may heat their premises with electricity, even sustainable solar and wind energy, with the possible combination with thermal storage. In this way, the Port of Den Helder has taken the next step towards making the harbour more sustainable.
Den Helder is a good location for offshore companies
According to the port Den Helder serves as an ideal national and international pit stop for companies that are directly or indirectly active in the offshore industry. North Holland Province Deputy of Economic Affairs Jaap Bond welcomes the broader economic gains: »A strong position for the Port of Den Helder is not only important for Den Helder, but also offers economic opportunities for the entire region of North Holland.«
Kooyhaven fits within the Port of Den Helder’s strategic vision to advance the harbour’s position as a Dutch offshore logistics hub by focusing more and more on offshore wind energy, and other renewable energy sources in the future and offshore activities. In the current turbulence facing the oil and gas industry, this wind sector is rapidly developing.
For example, until 2023, 3500 MW of wind farms are to be built off the Dutch coast, one of which will be sited off the North Holland coast. Moreover, more wind farms are forecast for after 2023. Operations based out of Den Helder involve not only North Sea wind farm construction, but operations and maintenance activities in particular. These are companies that ensure wind turbines continue to operate and be maintained.
