What Stichting Veilige Haven does

Stichting Veilige Haven (SVH) is a Dutch non-profit foundation (stichting) established in 2010 and headquartered in Brielle, South Holland, that operates the Veiligheidscertificaat Havens (VCH), the de facto safety certification program for the Dutch seaport industry. It serves approximately 40-45 port companies and the port workers they employ, organized under a tripartite governance structure that brings together port employers, labor unions, and port workers themselves. The foundation's mandate is the codification, delivery, and administration of standardized harbor-safety training and certification across multiple port operating contexts.

SVH's product portfolio centers on a VCH E-learning platform offering a base module of approximately 10 hours and seven sector-specific modules — Container, Droge Bulk, Rail, RoRo, Stukgoed, Tankopslag, and Technische Dienst — each approximately 1.5 hours long. Two base training tracks exist: Haven Medewerker (for port workers) and Leidinggevende (for supervisors). Examination is administered through partner Validee, with successful candidates receiving a VCH Pas certificate card. Supporting tools include VCH Examentrainer (a practice environment) and VCH Register Check (a verification service). Technical infrastructure partners include Paragin B.V., TRUE B.V., and Lemonbit B.V.; examination and qualification framework alignment is delivered through Stichting Examenkamer and the NLQF Niveau 2 designation.

The foundation's revenue mechanics rest on three streams: training voucher sales priced between €65 and €200 depending on donor status and module count, examination fees of €70-€95 per candidate, and donor membership contributions from participating port companies. Pricing is differentiated between "donor" companies (members receiving preferential rates) and standard purchasers. Distribution is supported through partnership with Deltalinqs, the leading Dutch port employers' association. The organization is small (5 employees), operates on a non-profit cost-recovery basis, and holds ISO 27001 certification for data security and is GDPR/AVG compliant.

Name

Stichting Veilige Haven

Legal name

Stichting Veilige Haven

Website

https://stichtingveiligehaven.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stichting Veilige Haven is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating the VCH safety certification program for approximately 40-45 Dutch seaport companies under tripartite governance between port employers, unions, and workers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port Safety Certification Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Ship & Port Security Audits, Inspections & Certification (Flag/Class/PSC Support) (TLAHANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime/Port Facility Security (ISPS) Training (BPAKAOAL), Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD), Safety, Compliance & Regulatory (OSHA/HSE/GxP) Certifications (EDAAANAJ)

Keywords

• Port safety certification
• Harbor worker training
• Maritime safety e-learning
• NLQF Niveau 2 qualification
• Seaport sector certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Brielle

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. VCH Training/E-learning Modules: Revenue generated from sale of e-learning vouchers for base training and sector-specific modules. Companies and individuals purchase vouchers to access training materials, with pricing based on module type (base or sector) and donor status.
2. VCH Examination Fees: Fees charged for examination sessions, both at regular examination locations and for in-company exams. Pricing varies by examination type (Basis + Sector vs. Basis/Sector only).
3. Donateur/Business Membership: Companies that become donors/members of Stichting Veilige Haven receive discounted rates on training and examination services, creating a recurring relationship with the foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Stichting Veilige Haven (SVH) develops and operates the Veiligheidscertificaat Havens (VCH), the Dutch national safety certification program for seaport workers. The certification is obtained by completing online e-learning base training together with one or more sector-specific e-learning modules (Container, Droge Bulk, Rail, RoRo, Stukgoed, Tankopslag, or Technische Dienst), passing an independent examination administered by Validee, and receiving the VCH Pas certificate card, which is registered at NLQF Niveau 2.

Product overview

Stichting Veilige Haven operates a unified product-platform system centered on the VCH (Veiligheidscertificaat Havens) certification program. The core offering consists of an e-learning platform delivering a base training module (available in two variants: Haven Medewerker for workers and Leidinggevende for supervisors) plus seven sector-specific modules (Container, Droge Bulk, Rail, RoRo, Stukgoed, Tankopslag, and Technische Dienst). Users complete the e-learning (which takes approximately 10 hours for base training and 1.5 hours per sector module), then take a formal examination administered by partner Validee. Successful candidates receive the VCH Pas (certificate card). Supplementary offerings include an Examentrainer for exam preparation and a VCH Register Check for credential verification. The program is NLQF Niveau 2 certified and has been adopted by over 40 companies in Dutch seaports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Veiligheids Certificaat Havens (VCH): A safety certification program for Dutch seaport workers that includes e-learning modules and examinations across various sectors including Container, Droge Bulk, Rail, RoRo, Stukgoed, Tankopslag, and Technische Dienst.

Products and services

• Veiligheidscertificaat Havens (VCH) Certification Program
• VCH Examen (VCH Examination)
• VCH Pas (VCH Certificate Card)
• VCH Examentrainer (VCH Practice Exam Trainer)
• VCH Register Check

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ValideecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerValidee is the examination bureau that organizes and manages the VCH examination process. They coordinate weekly examination sessions at various locations across the Netherlands and provide supervision and quality control for the certification examinations.
• Stichting ExamenkamercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStichting Examenkamer provides supervisory oversight for the VCH examination process, ensuring the integrity and quality standards of the certification system.
• Paragin B.V.coreTechnology or IntegrationParagin B.V. from Nijkerk provides the private cloud infrastructure for SVH's data processing, including e-learning and examination results. Data is stored in Dutch data centers compliant with ISO 27001 standards.
• TRUE B.V.coreTechnology or IntegrationTRUE B.V. operates the data centers used by SVH, located in Schiphol Rijk, Haarlem, and Utrecht. These facilities are ISO 27001 certified and fall under Dutch and European legislation.
• Deltalinqs Training & ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeltalinqs Training & Services is a key partner working with SVH's board to continue development of the VCH certification program. The partnership focuses on future improvements and implementation of harbor safety initiatives.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company operating in maritime and port sectors. While much larger and broader in scope, it represents a potential alternative or complementary certification provider for Dutch ports and the institutional model for safety compliance verification.
• RelyOn Nutec: RelyOn Nutec is a global safety training provider offering courses for maritime, offshore, and industrial workers, including port-related safety training. Comparable in the safety training/certification delivery model but broader in scope and geographic reach than SVH.
• Mintra Group: Mintra provides digital learning and workforce competency solutions for the maritime, energy, and offshore sectors. Comparable to SVH in delivering safety-focused e-learning and certification, but operates at a much larger scale across multiple industries and geographies.
• Seagull Maritime: Seagull Maritime is a global leader in maritime e-learning and competency management, offering onboard and shoreside training for seafarers. While broader in geographic and role scope than SVH, it competes for the same training budgets in the maritime safety and compliance space and serves as a relevant scale benchmark.
• Videotel (KVH): Videotel is a maritime e-learning provider owned by KVH, delivering safety and regulatory training content to seafarers globally. Comparable in the maritime e-learning and certification delivery model, though focused on vessel rather than port operations.
• DNV (Maritime): DNV is a global maritime classification and certification society providing standards, certification, and advisory services to the shipping and port industry. Relevant as a potential incumbent that could compete in port safety certification or set competing standards that marginalize VCH.
• Falck Nutec: Falck provides safety training and emergency response services globally, including industrial and maritime safety programs. Comparable as a safety training and certification provider though broader in scope, with greater geographic reach than SVH.

Regional players

• STC Group: STC Group is a Dutch maritime and logistics training organization offering vocational and professional courses for the port and shipping industry. Direct competitor for the same pool of Dutch port worker training budgets, with broader curricular offerings.

Emerging players

• Safebridge: Safebridge provides maritime training and competency assessment solutions with a focus on simulation and digital certification for seafarers and maritime professionals. Comparable in delivering specialized maritime safety certifications via digital platforms, though focused more on nautical than port-side operations.

Others

• Deltalinqs Training & Services: Deltalinqs is the training arm of the Rotterdam port employers' association and is both a strategic partner and ecosystem counterpart to SVH. It provides broader port industry training while SVH focuses specifically on VCH safety certification. Direct overlap in port worker education in the Rotterdam market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stichting-veilige-haven

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stichting Veilige Haven