He supplied inland vessels with foodstuffs (bread, milk, vegetables, fruit), household goods, cigarettes, clothing, and more.
Skippers often had no opportunity to shop ashore for days, so this was a welcome service involving personal contact.
The profession originated mainly in the 19th century and was typically Dutch/Belgian (Rhine, Meuse, Scheldt, harbors).
Parlevinker boats often featured a recognizable green and white checkered trim.
It is nearly extinct: the last Dutch parlevinker (Wim van Hooren with Time is Money) stopped in 2008.
The death blow was the abolition of tax exemptions (excise duty) in 2007.
Nowadays, the term sometimes still refers to a specific ship in a museum or a hospitality venue (e.g., in the Efteling), but the classic profession no longer exists.
It was a unique piece of maritime entrepreneurship.
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