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Symbolic start of development at (Port of) Den Helder industrial estate


(left) Kees Jan Tuin (middle) Whitney Veen (right) Piet-Hein Kolff.

(left) Kees Jan Tuin (middle) Whitney Veen (right) Piet-Hein Kolff.

With the symbolic turning of the first turf, departing Director Piet-Hein Kolff and incoming interim Director Whitney Veen of the Port of Den Helder together with Kees Jan Tuin, Director of the contracting firm A. Tuin Den Helder marked the start of development of the Kooypunt IIIa industrial estate, on behalf of Total E&P Nederland. The ceremony took place during Offshore Energy 2015 at the RAI conference centre in Amsterdam.
“We are delighted with this step in the further development of the offshore and energy-related industrial estate. Despite the downward pressure on the oil price affecting the market, our team is collaborating closely with Den Helder Airport to boost the international profile of the port and to attract new businesses. The space available for development at the Kooypunt III industrial estate is a useful tool in that connection. The arrival of Total and the recent establishment of the waste processing business Bek & Verburg is an excellent start,” suggested Piet-Hein Kolff, CEO at the Port of Den Helder.

First major business
Total E&P Nederland is the first major operator to set up shop at Kooypunt III. Every year, Total produces 4 billion m3 of gas on the North Sea, thereby meeting 10% of all Dutch gas demand. Total has been based in Den Helder since 1976, and opted for the new location to provide additional space for further development of the Westoever area, for residential purposes. Furthermore, as a result of ever stricter environmental legislation, it has become increasingly difficult to comply with all the rules, at the current location. Moving to a modern industrial estate is clearly a logical choice.

Tuin to develop complex
At the new industrial estate, the contracting firm A. Tuin Den Helder will be developing a new complex for Total E&P Nederland. “We came out top, in the national invitation to tender. We have been working for Total E&P Nederland for decades, not only in Den Helder, but right across the northern Netherlands and at the head office in The Hague. As a result, we know the business well, and are conversant with the environmental and safety requirements they need to meet,” explained Kees Jan Tuin.

High-quality building
“The new location will include a high-quality building consisting of two storeys of offices, a large warehouse and a spacious outdoor site. The client has imposed strict demands on the quality of life, so this project will be carried out to the highest possible standard. We expect to be in possession of all the necessary licences by the start of December, at which point we will be able to start work,” continued contractor Kees Jan Tuin. Handover is planned for the end of next year.

Ideal establishment climate
The Kooypunt industrial estate is currently under development. Just a short distance from the seaport and a stone’s throw from Den Helder Airport and major access roads, the favourable geographical location means Kooypunt offers the ideal establishment climate. More than 25 hectares of the Kooypunt III industrial estate are already prepared for building. Kooypunt has secure quality locations for every sector, including businesses with environmental permits up to category 5.2. As well as offshore and energy-related companies, Kooypunt is now attracting growing numbers of businesses from the production, trade, industry and business services sectors.