The Netherlands has long been a respected maritime jurisdiction, combining a strategic geographic position with a sophisticated legal and financial infrastructure. Yet the competitive dynamics of global shipping are shifting. In an October 2024 letter to Parliament (Kamerstukken II 2024–2025, 31 409, nr. 467), the Minister (at that time) of Infrastructure and Water Management noted that, measured over the past decade, the number of vessels flying the Dutch flag has declined by approximately 9% in absolute terms. Over the same period, the global fleet expanded significantly – particularly in segments such as large container shipping, in which Dutch shipowners are comparatively less active.
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