The maritime industry underpins global trade, with ships transporting the vast majority of goods across international waters. In addition, the maritime industry plays a significant role in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, such as offshore wind farms. However, every voyage or maritime operation carries risks: machinery breakdowns, cargo damage, collisions, and environmental incidents are […]
Who are you and what is your job? My name is Diederic van Keulen and I work in shipping all my career. I started on inland vessels followed by a 11 year career at sea working as Officer and Captain on many different ship types and seen the world. I am educated as Master Mariner […]
The Hong Kong Convention on the safe and environmentally sound recycling of`ships dates back to 2009, but entered into force in June 2025. Eva van Luijk, attorney at law at De Reede Advocatuur, compiled an insightful RMSC expert overview that clarifies the main points of the current legal framework and provides some context. Interested to […]
Who are you and what is your job? My name is Peter Molloy. I’m originally from Ireland and I am the Owner/Managing Director of Sea3R B.V. a niche maritime analytics, valuation and strategic advisory company based in Rotterdam. What does a typical day for you look like? My day starts with coffee, or exercise then […]
Within the Rotterdam Maritime Services Community (RMSC), Human Capital is regarded as a cornerstone for sustaining and enhancing the industry’s position and added value to the maritime Cluster. Ambassador Lisette Smit-Bennemeer emphasises that RMSC’s mission is to create tangible value for its members by strengthening connections between education, business, and innovation. Through targeted initiatives such […]
Who are you and what is your job? My name is Maurice Jansen, I am part of Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics. I’ve grown up with the port of Rotterdam in my backyard, literally. Born and raised in Vlaardingen, gone to school in Schiedam, and went to Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Dedicating […]
Travel Risk Management refers to the strategic and operational measures companies take to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of their traveling employees. In the maritime sector, professionals working in remote and high-risk areas require a strong preventive medical policy to minimize health and safety risks. In this expert overview Rik van Peperstraten of the […]
Sustainability in shipping is no longer a distant goal; it is a pressing necessity. Driven by growing awareness, regulatory demands, and societal expectations, the maritime industry stands at a critical point to embrace transformative changes and keep up with innovation. In this expert overview Boudewijn Baan explores the “big why” of sustainability, dives into different […]
Who are you and what is your job? My name is Pieter van der Burg and I work with Nesec since 2008. I am the MD since that year and enjoy myself at the crossroads of shipping, shipping finance and partners in our funds. What does a typical day for you look like? Luckily there […]
On January 21, the RMSC New Year’s reception took place at Stadscafé Weena. Chairman Erik opened the event by welcoming all attendees, with a special word of welcome to the members who joined the network in 2024: ABL Netherlands, Corporate Travel Clinic, Dick van der Kamp Shipsales, and Waves Group. The first new member of […]
Who are you and what is your job? My name is Kamil Ergin, and I am the Marketing and Business Development Manager at Exen Global BV. Our company specializes in contracted and spot chartering services for the maritime transportation of dry bulk, bagged, breakbulk, and project cargoes. Beyond this, we provide commercial and technical vessel […]
Who are you and what is your job? My name is Eva van Luijk and I work as a criminal defence lawyer at De Reede Advocatuur. De Reede Advocatuur assists companies and people in the maritime sector and the port area who are confronted with, as a common denominator, a form of criminal investigation. These […]
The global maritime industry, often encounters disputes related to for example contracts, cargo, shipping delays, and insurance claims. Alternative dispute resolution offers significant advantages for resolving disputes in the international maritime industry. Both arbitration and mediation provide flexible, efficient, and commercially focused approaches, with a high degree of autonomy enjoyed by the parties. This RMSC […]
Who are you and what is your job? My name is Henk Smith and I am Co-owner and Director of Global Operations at Marine Masters B.V. I currently oversee and provide technical expertise to salvage, wreck removal, emergency towage and decommissioning projects at Marine Masters. We also offer our clients Transport & Installation services (T&I) […]
The RMSC is pleased to welcome Marius Punt (CEO HEBO and Bonn & Mees) to the Advisory Board. This summer Erik Witjens (Chair RMSC) and Rosalie de Paepe (Manager RMSC) met with Marius at his offices (located at Greenport Rotterdam) to discuss his ideas about the strategic development of the RMSC. Next to Marius Punt, […]
Who are you and what is your job? I am René Doff and I am the Chief Risk Officer of Thomas Miller in Rotterdam. We manage the European presence of the UK P&I Club and TT Club from our – still relatively new – office just next to Hotel New York. What does a typical […]
On May 22 the RMSC had the pleasure to organise the third consecutive breakbulk business lunch at Rotterdam Ahoy. The event took place at the stand of RMSC member MS Amlin during Breakbulk Europe 2024. With a barista on hand, many members and business relations gathered for coffee and sandwiches, and most importantly, to expand […]
Join the Rotterdam Mainport Institute (RMI) on Tuesday May 28 for a masterclass about the energy transition in shipping, with a special focus on topics from the Maritime Masterplan (MMP). The event will be hosted from 18.00 – 21.00 in the STC building at the Lloydstraat in Rotterdam. The masterclass includes a complementary buffet. During […]
Who are you and what is your job? My name is Niels van der Noll. I have been working in the port and shipping industry since 1 February 1990. A Rotterdam native, I have worked in the port of Amsterdam for many years, since 1994 as a P&I Club Correspondent. My working area has since […]
On April 15 Menon Economics and DNV launched the 2024 edition of the Leading Maritime Cities of the world report. Just like in the 2022 edition Rotterdam is declared as the European leader. Meaning that Rotterdam and the surrounding business regions have managed to keep it’s well deserved title as undisputed maritime capital of Europe. […]
On April 4 2024 a large group of young professionals an industry experts gathered in Rotterdam for the Trend Session – Port of the Future. A collaboration between Deltalinqs, KPMG, and the Rotterdam Maritime Services Community. The session was moderated by Marc Buijs (Young RMSC) and focused on Rotterdam as the food hub of Europe. […]
On the 15th of March, our bi-annual advisory board meeting was held at city hall. The RMSC advisory board consists of representatives from the Rotterdam maritime and business world. This particular meeting was the first that was attended in person by alderman and vice-mayor Robert Simons. Also in attendance for the first time were Kitty […]
On the 28th of February members of the RMSC were invited to the World Port Center at the Wilhelminapier, where the Port of Rotterdam graciously welcomed us to organise the annual General Assembly. With a sizable share of our members present, the board first looked back on 2023, in which a number of well received […]
On 21st March 2024, the RMSC and Wista Rotterdam held a joint event on the shipment and storage of Lithium-Ion batteries. The meeting was hosted by Thomas Miller in Rotterdam and took place in Hotel New York. There was a large participation from both RMSC and Wista. Four speakers guided the attendees through the risks […]
After more than 6 years of dedicated service, Linda Treuman has made the decision to step down from her role as the manager of RMSC. Although we regret her departure, we respect her decision. During Linda’s term as the manager of RMSC, the membership has significantly grown, and RMSC has gained recognition both nationally and […]
Just like previous years the RMSC was happy to share its expertise to the participants during an in depth session with a selection of our members on November 1 2023. Being a true facilitator of growth, the RMSC can help start- and scale-ups at the beginning of their journey. Our members know the different sectors, […]
During our first community lunch of 2024 on February 2nd, we had the pleasure to be enclosed by maritime masterpieces in the Maritime Museum Rotterdam. When walking through the museum, you are indulged in the maritime history AND future of the port of Rotterdam. We gathered with eleven members for coffee next to the painting […]
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR JOB? I am Martin Lanting, a chauvinistic Rotterdam native, who has founded and built several marine insurance companies as an entrepreneur over the past 40 years. After Dutch P&I and RaetsMarine, I started Insure Marine Underwriting in 2018. My job is CEO responsible for the development and growth […]
2023 was a successful year for the Rotterdam Maritime Services Community: we welcomed our 70th (!) member, which shows that the community is seen as a valuable asset. We promoted the Rotterdam maritime business services cluster during international trade missions to both Singapore and London. Two of the most important maritime cities in the world […]
On January 25th about 80 members and enthusiasts gathered at Brouwerij Noordt to toast to the new year, full of opportunities and possibilities. It promises to be a challenging year, and the talks between members on the impact of the Red Sea crisis and the further energy transition were interesting. We were happy to see […]
Navigating troubled waters As we all know, the maritime industry is increasingly becoming a target for`cybercriminals, especially as it remains the backbone of global trade. Regulatory frameworks from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union exist, though the adoption rate of cybersecurity measures must be faster. This RMSC Expert Overview is written by […]
During Europort 2023 the RMSC, the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR), Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT), and Rotterdam Ahoy organised a joint Ship Finance Pavilion. Facilitating informal dialogues between finance experts and maritime organisations. The pavilion provided a valuable contribution to the Europort programme by connecting ship owners, shipbuilders and maritime suppliers with financial experts. […]
On Friday, November 10, Young RMSC and YoungShip Rotterdam had the pleasure of closing the final day of the Greenstage of the Europort Exhibition (Rotterdam Ahoy). The line-up of speakers allowed for extensive discussions about ‘the current generation gap’ in het maritime industry. Leading to sharp questions from the audience and the conclusion that open […]
What a busy and vibrant week it was, the second week of November! RMSC members gathered at the opening of Europort 2023 during the Maritime Awards Gala in Rotterdam Ahoy. A great way to speak to lots of business friends and acquaintances. During this evening, innovations were recognized and the RMSC would like to congratulate […]
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR JOB? My name is Edward van Gruijthuijsen. I was born in Rotterdam and moved back there after my study in Leiden. Since 2012, I have been working as a lawyer, assisting clients on a wide range of legal issues related to insolvency law, employment law and commercial litigation […]
On either side of the North Sea, the Netherlands and the UK are among each other’s main trade and investment partners, both sharing the drive to shape a sustainable and smart maritime sector. Therefore, during the London International Shipping Week (September 2023), the RMSC was a proud co-organiser of the maritime trade mission to London. […]
On a sunny friday noon (August 25), we met with a smaller group of RMSC members for the first community lunch. A new set up where members can meet informally and at the same time have a chance to talk a bit longer to each other. During the knowledge sharing and networking events, this is […]
TOP Management Consultants is one of the newer members of the Rotterdam Maritime Services Community. But who are they and what kind of expertise do they have to offer the maritime industry? Here, Boudewijn Baan, coach, trainer, consultant, and co-owner of this unique maritime consultancy firm, elaborates. For almost 35 years, TOP Management Consultants have […]
Ships are essential for transport, food production, coastal protection and defense. In addition, they play a fundamental role in the generation of renewable energy (offshore wind). That is why the sector has compiled the Maritime Masterplan, which received good news at the end of June: 210 million euros will be allocated for a sustainable development […]
Who are you and what is your job description? My name is Danny van Eijk, I have been in the maritime industry for over 25 years working in both the supply industry as well as in the service industry. The largest part of my career I was responsible for sales of the Europort Exhibition. These […]
Incident Analysis – of upmost importance for safety and learning During the recent RMSC knowledge sharing event, our member Simwave welcomed us at their premises – the Maritime Centre of Excellence in Barendrecht. Simwave is one of the world’s largest training facilities which holds a staggering 59+ simulators and provides a unique variety of training […]
a great time to meet. On June 7 the RMSC had the pleasure to organise the second consecutive breakbulk business lunch. The event was hosted in the stand of RMSC member MS Amlin at Breakbulk Europe 2023. In combination with a 25% membership discount on entrance tickets, the lunch made a visit to the exhibition […]
The RMSC is proud to announce that this September we will join forces with the Netherlands embassy in London and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to organise a marititme trade mission to the UK. The trade mission will take place during the London International Shipping Week. After two successful earlier editions of the RMSC and […]
Last month, RMSC manager Linda Treuman visited Arjen van Klink of the Research Centre Business Innovation. This is part of the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (‘Hogeschool Rotterdam’). Arjen and Linda know each other from the Master in maritime education. The Research Centre conducts applied research together with small- and medium-sized companies in various industries […]
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR JOB? Bas Noorman, 33 years in shipping in different roles and now happy to be part of the FDR-Risk team. Building our presence in the different trade hubs to serve our clients worldwide. With a perfect mix between young enthusiastic dynamic thinking professionals and the expertise of years […]
With the ‘five questions for’ series individual RMSC members get the opportunity to introduce themselves to the network. In this edition Joost Bout talks about his role as Loan Portfolio Manager at NESEC. Who are you and what is your job description? Joost Bout, 36, living in Rotterdam but originally from Yerseke (Zeeland) and my […]
According to the Young Maritime Board (YMB), where Marc Buijs is representing Young RMSC, it is all hands on deck when it comes to keeping Young Professionals in the maritime sector “on board’. That is why the YMB presented five recommendations to the Rotterdam Maritime Board on 22 March based on a survey filled in […]
Recently RMSC member UNUM interviewed Lodewijk Wisse, Senior Policy Advisor Fiscal and Legal Affairs, at the the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners about the benefits of dispute resolution through the Dutch system and UNUM in particular. A strong supporter of arbitration Lodewijk Wisse is a strong supporter of arbitration as a means for resolving shipping […]
We are proud that our very own Young RMSC is represented in the Young Maritime Board (YMB). Currently the YMB is curious about the motives of young professionals to work in the maritime sector and how the sector can respond to this to become more attractive. That is why they have set up a survey […]
As shipping industry is very capital-intensive, the Netherlands support this industry by providing tax facilities for shipping industry. Therefore, the Dutch favourable tonnage tax regime is another important reason why shipping companies have a presence in the Netherlands. To keep supporting the shipping industry the Netherlands intends to exempt certain income from shipping international shipping […]
This week was the final week for the 70 students of the Maritime Studies program of the Erasmus UPT executed for Nanyang technical University. The program consisted of four months intensive courses in Rotterdam, combined with field visits and skills development. For example in scenario planning. Very important for the energy transition and digital transitions […]
Recently the Rotterdam Maritime Services Community created a special video provide insights into the role and importance of maritime business services to the maritime and port industry. Sit back and have a look what Michiel Steenman of Zuyderzee Capital, René Doff of Thomas Miller, Gulsev Yildizturan of C&B More, Willemijn Putz of Van Traa Advocaten, […]
If port and shipping industries don’t want to miss the boat, they should be proactive in their ambition to move beyond simply being compliant with (upcoming) sustainability rules and regulations. Peter van Ees, Banker and Business Developer Renewable Energy at ABN-AMRO, feels that banks are in fact more ambitious, and might just not be willing […]
The innovative community in Rotterdam each year expands with the start and scale ups of PortXL – the Accelerator for the Port and Maritime industry. This year, 14 companies have been selected for the program, all focusing on sustainable development in our industry. Looking at sustainable growth for these companies, it is important for them […]
In December 2021 a publication of the European Commission declared the need for decisive enforcement on illegal ship recycling. Criminal liability of shipowners will have to be assessed against specific parameters. Erik Witjens, criminal defence attorney with RMSC member De Reede Advocatuur B.V. has compiled a special RMSC Expert Overview on this topic. The overview […]
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR JOB? I am Keita Shinohara. Born in Japan but living in Europe (UK and the Netherlands) most of my life. Rotterdam has been my home for the past 21 years. I am the Certification Manager at Green Award Foundation, a job that oversees the ship certification program to […]
Directly after the general assembly on September 13, Aon also welcomed the ladies of the Women in Shipping and Trade Assication, for a joint knowledge sharing event, about determining the right track in transition risks. From one of the top floors, looking out over the river and Willemsbrug, those attending were in for an afternoon […]
On 27 July, the old harbor of Rotterdam welcomed a diverse group of Young RMSC professionals to finally meet each other again in person and enjoy a few refreshing beers. The diverse group which amongst others consisted of professionals working in ship financing, ship brokering, insurances and crew training, facilitated the engaging conversations. These included […]
Many Dutch universities and other institutes offer (regular and post-graduate) courses in Dutch and/or English on maritime law, transport law (incl. air and space law and law on rail and road transport) and related areas of law such as commercial law, law on competition and public procurement, customs, energy and water, environment, insurance, logistics and […]
On 27 July, the old harbor of Rotterdam welcomed a diverse group of Young RMSC professionals to finally meet each other again in person and enjoy a few refreshing beers. The diverse group which amongst others consisted of professionals working in ship financing, ship brokering, insurances and crew training, facilitated the engaging conversations. These included […]
