Spectacular transport across the IJ: VOC reconstruction Batavia leaves Amsterdam in steel support structure

The 17th-century VOC ship reconstruction, the Batavia, arrived in Amsterdam on September 19 for essential restoration work. Having traveled from its base at Museum Batavialand in Lelystad, the 650-ton vessel suffered from rotting ribs, necessitating urgent repairs to prevent further decay. At the Damen Shiprepair facility in Amsterdam-Noord, the ship was fitted with a specialized steel support structure designed to allow the historic vessel to be displayed permanently on the quayside in Lelystad.

Following these repairs, the Batavia will serve as the centerpiece of a newly developed museum project supported by national, provincial, and local authorities. This major collaborative effort, involving the Dutch government and local stakeholders, aims to preserve the vessel's history. The ship, which was modeled after the original vessel that wrecked off the coast of Australia in 1629, is expected to be unveiled to the public in its new setting upon the museum's scheduled opening in late 2028.