Zeilvaart

Zeilvaart is a Dutch term referring to sailing traffic or the operation of sailing vessels. It denotes the movement and management of ships propelled primarily by sails on inland waters, coastal seas, and, historically, on the open sea.

Historically, zeilvaart played a central role in European commerce and naval power. Dutch fleets of sailing ships carried goods and passengers across the North Sea and along internal waterways. With the rise of steam and later motorized propulsion in the 19th century, the economic dominance of zeilvaart declined. Nevertheless, sailing ships persisted in niche trades, in training fleets, and, in some contexts, on dedicated cargo projects and slow-sailing routes.

Today, zeilvaart is more often encountered in recreational sailing, yacht clubs, regattas, and heritage sailings on canals and coastal waters. The term remains in use in regulatory, historical, and cultural contexts as a subcategory of scheepvaart, the broader term for water transport. It also appears in official documents to distinguish sailing traffic from powered vessels, particularly in navigational rules on inland waterways and in coastal areas.

Regulatory and safety considerations include navigation rules on inland waterways and coastal zones that govern priority and right-of-way; sailors must observe signals, lights, and speed limits, and interactions with motor vessels require clear communication and predictable maneuvers. Zeilvaart thus remains a relevant concept in Dutch maritime vocabulary, reflecting both historical heritage and contemporary recreational use.