Hiswa News

HISWA Holland Yachting Group and Port of Amsterdam announced in May 2018 their ambition to put Amsterdam on the map as a top destination for superyachts.The last two months more than 10 superyachts have chosen Amsterdam as their destination. They include Reef Chief, Aviva, Avanti, Forever One and Big Eagle.According to a press release from the port, the Amsterdam is attractive to owners and captains of superyachts on account of "the wide selection of berths located in the city centre,  outstanding refit and maintenance facilities in the port area, the appeal of the city of Amsterdam, Amsterdam’s good location for calling at other Northern…

HISWA Holland Yachting Group and Port of Amsterdam are making real their ambition to establish Amsterdam more firmly as a major destination for superyachts. The diversity in berths located in the heart of the city centre, combined with excellent re-fit and maintenance facilities in the port area make Amsterdam a unique destination for superyachts. A quiet transformation has been underway in the superyacht world for some years now. Where the Mediterranean and the Caribbean used to reign supreme in terms of both facilities and interest, a new generation of yacht owners are increasingly looking for something more original. High latitudes are becoming ever more fashionable and northern Europe, with its superb nature, convivial culture and avant-garde art & design has been reaping the rewards.

Port of Amsterdam officially joined the HISWA Holland Yachting Group as a partner on, presenting itself as a new partner to the members during the annual HISWA summer event. The event was held on the wharf of yacht manufacturer Royal van Lent (Feadship) on the Kaag waterway. Port of Amsterdam and the yacht manufacturer had crossed paths before, as Royal van Lent recently expanded its operations by building a brand-new wharf in the port area. The arrival of Royal van Lent has prompted Port of Amsterdam to explore its own opportunities in the luxury yacht (also known as ‘super yachts’) industry and to work on attracting businesses operating in this industry, including yacht manufacturers, re-fitters and suppliers, to the city.

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.

New Zealand based marine manufacturer Tru-Design Plastics has won the HISWA Innovation Award 2009 for its position-monitored ball valve range. HISWA, the Dutch marine association, represents the gamut of water sport businesses in The Netherlands and is associated with promoting highest standards of safety, quality and environmental friendliness. The annual HISWA innovation award is designed to encourage and showcase state-of-the-art consumer products. A jury of distinguished representatives of the Dutch marine field…

Gerard Dijkstra of Dijkstra & Partners Naval Architects is the winner of this year’s HISWA Excellence Award. The naval architect received the award from the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Maria van der Hoeven at the World Forum in The Hague during the Maritime Awards Gala on 6 November. Coming from a racing background, Gerard Dijkstra has been a key player in the revival of the J-class. Other nominees for the award were Henk de Vries of Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw (Feadship) and Lex Keuning from the Delft University of Technology. The HISWA Excellence Award honours the most prominent and pioneering innovator in the watersports industry. This year marked the second time it was granted by the HISWA Holland Marine Industry during the Maritime Awards Gala.