As of 1 July 2009, yachts larger than 78.7 ft registered under the Dutch flag can be built in accordance with the international Large Yacht Code 2. The Dutch regulations have been adapted and potential yacht owners can now come to Holland for the design, construction, registration and operation of their yacht.
It has been a thorn in the side of the industry for years that yachts built in accordance with the technical requirements of the Large Yacht Code 2 of the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) could not be registered under the Dutch flag. In practice all yachts larger than 24 metres are built to meet these requirements.
HISWA Holland Marine Industry, the trade association for the Dutch watersports industry, is enthusiastic. “This represents a genuine breakthrough and a crucial boost for the Dutch yachtbuilding industry,” said Manager Yachtbuilding Michaël Steenhoff. “We have been trying to arrange this for years. Partly due to the efforts of the Dutch Ministry of Transport, our dream has been realised and now it is up to the individual companies to make the most of the resulting opportunities.”
Thanks to the regulation changes yachts larger than 78.7 ft can now be operated from the Netherlands. The majority of these yachts are exploited on a commercial basis and several Dutch companies are specialised in yacht management. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Holland to play a part in the operating of superyachts,” said yacht manager and ship owner Diederic van Keulen of Q Shipping. “The market is rapidly becoming more professional and this development will enable us to move on the next level.”