The database and methodology -- The Dutch expansion in Asia up to 1660 -- Connecting the Asian regions: The trading and shipping network in operation after 1620 -- The development of the VOC fleet -- The shipping and logistics in operation -- Knitting all the threads together: the logistics of the network -- An analysis of the development of VOC shipping in Asia until 1660 -- Fleets per region -- Conclusions -- Notes -- References -- List of vessels in service during the period 1596-1660.