In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Netherlands distinguishes the following types of seagoing vessel:

Merchant vessels are seagoing ships that are commercially exploited. They include cargo ships, passenger ships, dredging vessels, pontoons, Mobile Offshore Drilling Units and many more. 
 
Merchant vessels are eligible for: 

• Full registration in the Dutch Register 
• Registration in the Bareboat Charter Register        

CCV is a seagoing cruising vessel for commercial use with a length exceeding 12 metres, designed and built for recreational use and by passengers and for either:

• being exclusively or mainly propelled by mechanical propulsion and equipped to carry no more than 12 passengers, or:
• being mainly propelled by sails and equipped to carry no more than 36 passengers.        

Commercial Cruising Vessels are eligible for: 

• Full registration in the Dutch Register 
• Registration in the Bareboat Charter Register        

All seagoing vessels exclusively designed and built for use by the persons on board for sports or leisure activities (non-commercial use). Recreational craft may only be used for non-commercial activities.

Pleasure craft are eligible for Full registration in the Dutch Register