Page "Dutch East India Company" Paragraph 8

In addition, as Portugal had been united with the Spanish crown, with which the Dutch Republic was at war in 1580, the Portuguese Empire became an appropriate target for Dutch military incursions.

These three factors motivated Dutch merchants to enter the intercontinental spice trade themselves.

Further, a number of Dutchmen like Jan Huyghen van Linschoten and Cornelis de Houtman obtained first hand knowledge of the " secret " Portuguese trade routes and practices, thereby providing opportunity.