The Heemskerck was a Dutch fluyt ship launched in 1638. It is primarily known for its role in Abel Tasman's 1642-1643 voyage of exploration commissioned by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The Heemskerck, commanded by Tasman himself, sailed in company with the Zeehaen under the command of Captain Isaack Gilsemans.
During this voyage, the Heemskerck played a significant part in the European discovery and charting of Van Diemen's Land (later Tasmania), New Zealand, and parts of Tonga and Fiji. While Tasman's ships did not land on the Australian mainland, the voyage added considerably to European knowledge of the region.
The Heemskerck was a relatively small ship compared to other vessels of the era, but its shallow draft made it suitable for coastal exploration and navigating unknown waters. After the voyage of 1642-1643, the Heemskerck continued to serve the VOC in other capacities, though detailed information on its later activities is limited. The Heemskerck's legacy lies primarily in its contribution to the charting of the Southern Hemisphere and its association with Abel Tasman's important expedition.