Holland Shipyards Group has signed a major agreement to build two state-of-the-art floating training platforms Uhlenbeck and Thetis designed to strengthen maritime training capabilities for Defence personnel. The project includes a 15-year maintenance contract, reflecting long-term cooperation and shared commitment to advanced training infrastructure.
Uhlenbeck and Thetis: Next-Generation Defence Training Platforms
Under the agreement, two specialised floating platforms will be constructed and moored in Den Helder to support a wide range of operational and tactical maritime training.
Uhlenbeck – Purpose-Built for Dive Operations
The Uhlenbeck platform (60 x 13.8 m) is engineered for hands-on dive training, featuring:
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A durable concrete pontoon with integrated technical systems and storage
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A working deck fitted with two knuckle-boom cranes for boat handling
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Boat storage, maintenance spaces, a workshop, protosorb room, and mezzanine
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Designated areas for decompression, equipment assembly and instruction
Thetis – Comprehensive Tactical and Simulation Training
The larger Thetis platform (64 x 16 m) spans five decks and supports diverse training scenarios, including:
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Changing areas and dedicated gear storage for diving teams
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Facilities for equipment rinsing and drying
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Control and briefing rooms for mission simulation
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Setups for maritime boarding, underwater approaches, helicopter hoisting and fast-roping
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Direct operational integration with Uhlenbeck via a connecting structure
Built Through Strong Industry Collaboration
The development of these platforms is backed by a consortium of specialised partners, including De Vries Werkendam, DWT Group, DMI-KBW, Antea Group and Royal Haskoning BV. Together, they bring technical expertise and engineering excellence needed to deliver durable, future-ready training infrastructure.
The Uhlenbeck and Thetis platforms represent a major milestone for Holland Shipyards Group and a significant enhancement of the Netherlands’ Defence training capabilities. Built for durability, adaptability and high-performance operations, these advanced structures will support both current and future defence readiness. This project underscores the shipyard’s reputation for handling complex, mission-critical builds and marks an important step toward strengthening national maritime preparedness.
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Source: HOLLAND SHIPYARD GROUP
