Registering a shipping company

  • 21 January 2025
  • Edited 22 September 2025
  • 2 min

You fill in a number of forms to register a shipping company (rederij) in the KVK Business Register. You then post the forms or visit a KVK office to finalise the registration.

What is a shipping company?

Are you going into business with an ocean-going vessel or a barge? If the ship belongs to 2 or more parties, then you have a shipping company (rederij). The ship must then be registered with the Land Registry Office (Kadaster, in Dutch). You also have to register the shipping company in the Business Register.

Do you not only own the ship together, but also work under the same company name? Then you have to set out clearly in a notarial deed that you form a shipping company. You will need this notarial deed to register the shipping company in the Business Register. Do you not have a notarial deed but you work under the same company name? Then you have a general partnership (VOF).

These rules are set out in the Dutch Civil Code (in Dutch). This way, there is no doubt about who is responsible for what. This is also called liability.

What forms do I need for the registration?

Download the following forms and complete them. Each form says who can sign it and what additional proof you need:

  • Form 2: Registration of a general or limited partnership (VOF or CV). This form also applies to shipping companies.
  • Form 10: Registration of the partners of the VOF or CV. This form also applies to shipping companies.
  • Form 13: Registration of an authorised representative (this form is optional).
  • Form 18: Additional information to other forms (articles of association or deed details)
  • Form 32: Registration of UBOs

Unsure who the shipping company's ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) are? Find out what the criteria are.

What other documents do I need?

If the shipping company is registered at the private address of one of the partners, you do not need to provide any other documents. If you wish to register the shipping company at a different address, arrange one of the following documents:

  • A lease or rental agreement, signed by the owner and the tenant.
  • A declaration of consent to use the premises for your company. The declaration must be signed by the owner.
  • A purchase agreement, signed by the buyer and seller, or proof from the Land Registry Office (Kadaster).

Do I need to make an appointment at KVK?

A partner or authorised representative of a shipping company can be a natural person (a human being) or a legal entity, for example a BV, VOF, or partnership. 

Shipping company with only legal entities

You do not need to visit KVK. Send all forms and supporting documents by post.

Shipping company with natural people

Every partner in a shipping company must show a valid ID in person at a KVK office to register. You must make an appointment to visit a KVK office.

  • You can make an appointment at any KVK office
  • Bring a valid ID and the necessary forms and supporting documents. 
  • You pay a one-time registration fee
  • You can order a KVK Business Register extract directly after you have registered. You can use this as proof of registration. Some banks and wholesalers ask for an extract
  • Log in with DigiD to make an appointment

Log in using DigiD

FAQs

At Help & Contact you will find all frequently asked questions about DigiD.

Is your question about DigiD not listed here? Check out the DigiD website for more frequently asked questions and answers.

You will find all frequently asked questions about making an appointment in Help and Contact.

You must make an appointment to visit a KVK office. You choose which KVK office yourself. This can also be an office outside your region or place of residence. Making an appointment is easy: login using DigiD. You can schedule an appointment up to 8 weeks in advance.

Did you not receive the confirmation email? Then it is probably in your spam or deleted mail folder. If not, please call our Service Centre: 088 585 15 85. Available from Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 17:00 hours.

Have you made an appointment to register an eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship), VOF (general partnership) or maatschap (professional partnership)?

Then log in again with your DigiD on this page. Your appointment at KVK will be listed under 'registration details'. Here you can see when, at what time, and at which office the appointment was made. Here you can still cancel or change your appointment.

To register a new enterprise or organisation, you must pay a registration fee. If you want to purchase a certified KVK Extract from the Business Register when you register, you can do this directly. 

We use different postal addresses and PO Box numbers. Find out which postal address applies to your situation.

Is your question not included? More frequently asked questions can be found on our Help and contact page. It also states how you can contact us.