The Dutch Transport Law Association: Maritime highlights from 2025
In 2025, the Dutch Association for Transport Law (NVV) has been actively engaged in various maritime law activities. Here’s what we’ve been up to:
CMI Tokyo
Members of the Dutch NVV participated in the extremely well organized and very interesting CMI conference in Tokyo. Many thanks again to the CMI ExCO and the Japanese Maritime Law Association.
Young Maritime Lawyers event in Antwerp
The NVVs younger members attended and contributed to the annual Young Maritime Lawyers event in Antwerpen in June 2025. The two-day conference, this year organized by the Belgian Maritime Law Association, provided for a cross-border exchange on maritime law topics and excellent networking opportunities.
7th Belgian-Dutch Colloquium
On 10 September 2025, Rotterdam hosted the 7th Belgian-Dutch Colloquium, a biannual event organized together with the Belgian Association for Maritime Law. More than 100 maritime law professionals from Belgium and the Netherlands gathered to discuss cross-border topics such as judicial sales of ships, liability of intermediaries, and global limitation of liability.
Toon van Mierlo and Peter Laurijssen (BVZ)
A special moment during the day was the presentation of the Liber Amicorum Zeewaardig to NVV member Herman Boonk, honoring his significant contribution to Dutch maritime law.
Presentation of the Liber Amicorum Zeewaardig to NVV member Herman Boonk (left) and Frank Smeele (right)
We look back on an inspiring and successful day, made possible by our speakers, participants, and generous sponsors: Multraship Towage & Salvage (main sponsor), Van Traa, Ploum, NNPC, Smallegange, Dutch P&I, Caland Advocaten, Yur Advocaten, and DOCK Legal Experts.
NVV Advisory Report on Judicial Sales of Ships Convention
Toon van Mierlo, State Secretary Arno Rutten, Ingrid Koning (NVV Chair), and Lodewijk Wisse (NVV Treasurer).
At the request of the Dutch government, an NVV Committee recently issued an advisory report on the potential ratification of the Judicial Sales of Ships Convention (Beijing Convention). On 24 September 2025, NVV Chair Ingrid Koning and Treasurer Lodewijk Wisse, together with Prof. Dr. Toon van Mierlo, officially presented the report to State Secretary Arno Rutte (Justice and Security).
The report outlines the legal, economic, and practical implications of ratification, contributing to a well-informed decision-making process on this internationally significant treaty.
You can access the full report here: 250911-NVV-advies-aan-Stas-JenV-VN-verdrag-inz.-gerechtelijke-verkoop-van-schepen.pdf.
Journée Schadee 2025
On 13 November 2025, our annual NVV conference, Journée Schadee, focused on risks in transport under the theme:
Transport Infrastructure in Times of Transition and Threat.
In an era where digital threats, climate change, and legal liability increasingly impact transport flows and infrastructure, we explored topics such as:
- Digital resilience under the EU NIS2 and CER Directives
- Climate-related transition risks in shipping
- Insurability of transport risks
- The role of compensation for disadvantages in government measures.
Erasmus University Chair “The Future of Maritime Law”
As of 1 December 2025, Erasmus University Rotterdam has established a new endowed chair entitled “The Future of Maritime Law”. The maritime sector is facing major transitions driven by sustainability, digitalisation and the energy transition. With this initiative, the university aims to strengthen the field of maritime law and to ensure that it is equipped for the decades ahead.
The chair is made possible through close collaboration with industry partners. Sponsors are by MSIG Specialty Marine (main sponsor), KVNR | Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners, JR Shipping, Anchor Insurance Rotterdam B.V., Sedgwick, Van Ameyde Marine, Fenex, DUTCH P&I, Arntz van Helden B.V. Expertisebureau and DUPI Group.
The NVV not only is one of the chair’s supporters, but it is also proud to share that our vice-chair, Prof. dr. Jolien Kruit, has been appointed Professor of The Future of Maritime Law.
Jolien Kruit, Appointed Professor of The Future of Maritime Law