Rederij het IJ

Personal.

Informal.

Transparant.

Flexible and fast.

We are a small company, with us (Rob and Debby) as the driving forces. Alongside our wish to have our own ship and experience the freedom of sailing, we also want to create a place where people feel comfortable.

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Personal and Informal

We always keep the atmosphere personal and informal, both during the first contact when requesting information and also when you’re on board. For that reason, we always sail along ourselves and work with a regular team.

Transparant

With us, you always know exactly what to expect. No unexpected costs afterwards, and we carefully check whether your wishes fit our ship. Why? Because we really want everyone to leave the boat feeling happy and satisfied. Hopefully, we can make you happy and let you enjoy your time on board too!

Flexible and Fast

And one more advantage of being a small company: when you contact us, we respond quickly. And if you’d like to change something later on, that’s no problem. Since we handle everything ourselves, we’re very flexible.

Good Food on Board

Our regular caterer, Willem, is an old school friend of Rob. During Sail 2015, Willem came on board and he’s never left since.

Together with his team, he is truly part of the ‘Stortemelk family’. They always sail along with us, which means that the food is freshly prepared on board. Even the bread is baked fresh on board.

Willem gets his ingredients from local suppliers and makes good food without unnecessary fuss. It’s no surprise that many guests take a moment to personally thank Willem for the great food.

Foodbook

Would you like to get an idea of what you can enjoy on board?
Then leave your email address and receive our Foodbook.

Sustainability

We believe it’s important that, alongside doing enjoyable work, we can contribute to a social society and a better environment. Although it’s currently not possible for us to operate our type of ship electrically, we do use alternative solutions that are less harmful to the environment.

For example, we sail on HVO100 diesel. This renewable diesel is not a fossil fuel and produces up to 90% less CO₂ emissions than regular diesel. The emission of other substances, such as particulate matter and nitrogen, is also lower. In other words, the exhaust is cleaner than with standard diesel.

At our home port, we also use solar panels to meet our electricity needs. And of course, we continue to follow developments to see how we can become even more sustainable.

We also focus on a more sustainable food offering. Our caterer gets his ingredients from local suppliers and offers the option of a fully vegetarian menu. And in principle, we do not use disposable items for food and drinks.

How Rederij het IJ Started

When we started in 2007, we wanted to offer something different from the standard canal tour boats. We wanted a ship where people could feel free and move around easily and where they could host a fun party in a relaxed and informal way. That’s why we first bought the historic tugboat Independent3, which we converted into a cozy, sailing café for up to 75 people.

As we began receiving more and more requests for larger groups, we decided in 2015 to purchase the Stortemelk. We immediately fell in love with the ship because of its characterful look and two large outdoor decks. And also on this ship we created a warm and informal atmosphere. Since we wanted to fully focus on the Stortemelk, we sold our smaller ship, the Independent3, in 2022 (with a heavy heart).

Just a little different

We’re just a bit different from most shipping companies in Amsterdam. Instead of operating multiple vessels, we focus on one beautiful and enjoyable ship: the Stortemelk. A unique ship with history, carefully selected and maintained with great care.

Another difference is that we, Rob and Debby, primarily run everything ourselves. Of course (and luckily), we’re supported on board by our regular crew and caterer during the cruise. But you’ll always be in direct contact with us, both when requesting a quote and also during the boat trip itself. That way, you know the people you make arrangements with will also be there on board.

What do our customers say?

“The entire crew of the Stortemelk provided our company (200 colleagues from Germany) with an unforgettable day. Although the weather was unfortunately rainy, the atmosphere on board made up for it. The personal and friendly attitude of all staff members made us feel truly welcome, and that atmosphere was present across all three decks.

There were plenty of delicious snacks and lunch options, excellent service, and at the end of the cruise, a beautiful “landing” at Muiderslot Castle. We greatly appreciated the flexibility during the preparations, and all requested program changes were implemented effortlessly.

On behalf of all colleagues: thank you very much!
“

Han Joosten

BPD Immobilienentwicklung GmbH

“Your warm welcome, the excellent BBQ, the beautiful trip to Pampus, the delicious salads—it was all fantastic!! Nothing was too much trouble for you, and we were able to fully enjoy ourselves on board. It felt like a warm embrace. We truly appreciated your warmth and flexibility.
“

Henk Broekman

Wine society 't Paaltje

“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! A cozy, homely ship with a fantastic crew. Everything was perfectly taken care of. From the decoration to the food and the crew. All 150 guests had a wonderful time. Because we used two indoor salons, one deck was perfect for dancing, while the other was ideal for quieter activities. The upper deck, decorated with lights, was inviting to spend time on, even in winter weather.
.“

Hester Palmen

AKROS Amsterdam

“Our personal approach made many customers return. It is great to experience that we have gotten to know so many customers over the years.”