The history of the KVNR

200 years of united shipowners

Dutch shipping companies have become big over the centuries thanks to their daring to systematically take on new challenges. Individual shipowners and shipping organisations soon realised that the power of cooperation could make the difference. This principle has lost none of its value, even in today's maritime relations. Only with a joint commitment to forward policy is it possible to strengthen the Netherlands' competitive position and keep up with rapid and ever changing international developments. The KVNR has been committed to this for more than 180 years. In particular, the Royal Seamen's College De Groninger Eendracht and the Royal Dutch Shipowners' Association have a long and eventful history dating back to 1830 and 1905 respectively.

2017: 25 years of the KVNR

The KVNR has existed in its current form since 1992. During this year, the Royal Dutch Shipowners' Association (KNRV) and the Association of Dutch Shipowners in Small Commercial Shipping (VNRK) joined forces in the newly formed Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR). Ten years earlier, the VNRK itself was the result of a collaboration between the Royal Seamen's College De Groninger Eendracht and the Association of Employers in Small Commercial Shipping.