Netherland Line
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The motto of Stoomvaart Maatschappij 'Nederland' (SMN) or Netherland Line is
Semper Mare Navigandum (Always sail the seas).
Dutch version available at [1]
On May 13th, 1870, the SMN was founded in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) for the North Western Europe trade to the former Dutch East Indies. One of the founders was Prince Hendrik, The Seafarer.
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[edit] Company profile
In the early days all transport went by mail boat, passengers, mail and some freight. This combination asked for speed and regularity. Passengers from or for Holland often traveled by train to and from Naples, Marseilles or Genoa in order to keep the transit time from the East Indies as short as possible. A general freight line with fixed routes. In the early days the company profited from the various freights offered by the government run plantations or cultures, from Banka-tin to tobacco and copra etc. Freight contained mostly casks, bales, boxes and especially heavy pieces. From Europe came production goods, (factory) installations, railroad material and equipment.
[edit] Ports and Routes
From 1870 to 1879 the company used their own godowns in Den Helder (Nieuwediep) as the place for loading and unloading. With the opening of the Noordzeekanaal (North Sea Channel connecting Amsterdam directly to the North Sea) in 1876 an easier route to its home base became available. The Oostelijke Handelskade (Eastern Trade dock 1883 – 1910) and the Java- and Sumatra docks became the center of the SMN in The Netherlands. In Europe one called regularly at Amsterdam, Southampton and Genoa. In the Dutch East Indies one plied mainly to the ports on the northern coast of the island of Java, e.g. Jakarta, Surabaya and Tanjung Priok. Bunkers were regularly taken at La Valetta, Port Said, Aden, Colombo and Sabang.
[edit] First years
After the mail boats came the more specific vessels, freighters as well as the widely known passenger liners. Famous names like Johan van Oldebarnevelt, Prins Alexander, Christiaan Huygens, Johan de Witt and the Oranje. Also freighters with passenger accommodation saw the light of day. After World War II and after the birth of the State of Indonesia in 1949 and the subsequent loosening of the old colonial ties, the SMN was in dire need of new trades. Until 1960 trade with Indonesia was possible, thereafter Dutch vessels were no longer allowed to ply in Indonesian waters. The trades to the Far East and to North as well as South America were intensified. Europe Lines and America Lines became household names at headquarters. As of 1968 the SMN more closely cooperated with KJCPL – RIL (Royal InterOcean Lines of Amsterdam and Hong Kong).
[edit] Growth
In addition to the freight- and passenger services, SMN also actively took part in other transport sectors. E.g. Martin Air Charter (now Martinair), the specialized LNG-tanker Antilla Cape, Container Terminal Amsterdam (CTA) and van Swieten Trucking. In the 60’s SMN acquired Hollandsche Stoomboot Maatschappij with regular services to England and West Africa.
[edit] Vessels
From the first SS 'Willem III' (1871) to the last MV 'Neder L-class' (1967/68)
- Bawean
- Banda
- Balong
- Batjan
- Banggai
- Batu
- Bengkalis
- Bali
- Borneo
- Celebes
- Neder Eems
- Neder Ebro
- Neder Weser
- Neder Waal
- Raki
- Radja
- Rondo
- Rotti
- Neder Rhone
- Neder Rijn
- Neder Lek 1968
- Neder Linge 1967
- Oranje
- Karakorum
- Karimun
- Karimata
- Poelau Laut
- Nieuw Holland
- Roepat
- Boissevain
- Johan de Witt
[edit] Offices
SMN headquartered at the IJgracht in Amsterdam, later at the Scheepvaarthuis [2] (Shipping House) together with other shipping companies. Everyone who has worked there will remember the monumental staircase leading directly to the director’s floor. Employees arriving by bicycle came through the side entrance and used the famous Paternoster elevators to reach her or his floor. Own offices in Jakarta.
[edit] Cooperations
Hailing from Amsterdam SMN always enjoyed a friendly competition/rivalry with Rotterdam colleagues Rotterdamsche Lloyd (KRL). And this especially on the East Indies route. In 1963 SMN and KRL jointly founded Nedlloyd Lines – NLL.
[edit] The final merger
On the threshold of her 100th anniversary the close cooperation with friendly Dutch shipowners resulted in a merger. The know-how, quality and power of 4 shipping companies were bundled. On January 20th, 1970 the Nederlandsche Scheepvaart Unie (NSU) was born.
[edit] Partners
- Stoomvaart Maatschappij Nederland (SMN)
- Koninklijke Rotterdamsche Lloyd (KRL)
- Koninklijke Java-China-Paketvaart-Lijnen (KJCPL)
- Vereenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaartmaatschappij (VNS)
SMN just did not make her 100th anniversary as an independent operator.
Later on NSU became Nedlloyd and in 1988 Koninklijke Nedlloyd. In 1981 the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Stoomboot-Maatschappij (KNSM) completed the group.
Much later in 1996 Koninklijke Nedlloyd from The Netherlands joined with P&O from The United Kingdom to become, as P&O NEDLLOYD, a major player in the worldwide container trade.
In 2005 A.P. Moller-Maersk Group (Maersk) from Denmark acquired P&O Nedlloyd and subsequently the newly formed Maersk Line became the world’s largest container shipping line. And that is where we are today.
[edit] Heritage
Parties interested in the history and heritage of the Stoomboot Maatschappij 'Nederland' as well as of other Dutch shipping companies can visit the Shipping Museum in Amsterdam or Rotterdam
