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
In the 19th and 20th centuries, steam propulsion and industrial expansion transformed koopvaardij. The fleet modernized,
Today, koopvaardij remains a cornerstone of the Dutch economy and identity. The Netherlands hosts one of the