The Fleets

Nederlandsch Zuid-Afrikaansche Scheepvaart Maatschappij, Rotterdam 1919-1932

Messrs Eb and Dresselhuys sent out a steamer in 1919 loaded with phosphates, to South Africa. The prospects were good so several Dutch finance houses took an interest in the venture, and in the same year the N.V. Nederlandsch Zuid-Afrikaansche Scheepvaart Maatschappij was formed, with the intention of establishing a direct service from the Netherlands to South Africa. Approximately monthly sailings between the Netherlands and South Africa were maintained by way of the west coast including calls at ports in South West Africa (Namibia).

Continued Government assistance failed to prevent the company from running into difficulties. Heavy losses were incurred, mainly to the severe competition of the more economicaly managed vessels of the German shipping companies which also traded from Continental ports to Southern Africa. Eventually the NZASM was placed under the management of the Vereenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaart Maatschappij (VNS) in 1924, which had been operating by way of Suez down the east coast of Africa with their Holland East Afrika Line. Subsequently, a joint round Africa services in each direction was introduced and combined the Holland-East Asia and the Holland South Africa Line under a new name; the Holland Africa Line. In the depression year 1932 the NZASM went in liquidation and the VNS took over the fleet and goodwill.

Many thanks to Henk Jungerius and Ted Finch for their assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide. If you would like to know more about a vessel, visit the Ship Descriptions (onsite) or Immigrant Ship web site.

• Routes:
  • Holland-South Africa
• Abbreviations:
  • VNS :      Vereenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaartmaatschappij

Funnel: Black. Fleet:

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