Koopvaardij

Koopvaardij is the Dutch term for merchant shipping, referring to the commercial transport of goods by sea and inland waterways. It encompasses ships and crews engaged in international trade, typically under the Dutch flag or through Dutch-owned companies. The term is commonly used to describe the Dutch merchant navy and the related network of shipping companies, insurers, shipyards, and port services that support global commerce.

From the 16th to the 18th century, the Dutch Republic built a dominant global trade system. The Dutch Golden Age saw rapid shipbuilding, advanced financial instruments for shipping, and extensive trading networks across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Institutions such as the VOC and the WIC played central roles, while Amsterdam and Rotterdam functioned as key maritime hubs attracting capital and cargo.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, steam propulsion and industrial expansion transformed koopvaardij. The fleet modernized, cargo types diversified, and international freight regimes grew more complex. The world wars caused heavy losses and disruption, but the Netherlands rebuilt its merchant fleet and maintained a significant maritime infrastructure supported by ports, insurers, and shipyards.

Today, koopvaardij remains a cornerstone of the Dutch economy and identity. The Netherlands hosts one of the world's busiest port systems, led by Rotterdam, and maintains a large, flag-based merchant fleet with activities in container, bulk, and tanker trades. The sector is supported by a robust legal framework, port services, and maritime research, aligning Dutch shipping with European and global supply chains.