Human Capital in the maritime business services industry: A Vision by RMSC Ambassador Lisette Smit- Bennemeer
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 as training programmes, hackathons, conferences, and collaborative sessions, the RMSC network aims to foster a dynamic ecosystem where professionals, academia, government, and the judiciary engage in constructive dialogue to advance Rotterdam’s maritime business services sector.
Ambitions for the industry
Smit-Bennemeer’s vision for Human Capital focuses on cultivating highly skilled, interdisciplinary professionals who are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving maritime landscape. Her ambitions as ambassador are: to enhance educational excellence, promote job satisfaction through meaningful opportunities, streamline recruitment processes, creating inclusive workforces, stimulate joint product development among members, and establish RMSC as a recognised advisory body on Human Capital challenges.
A key ambition is also to introduce RMSC traineeships in collaboration with member organisations, ensuring that emerging talent can find a clear and rewarding entry point into the industry.
Concrete actions and member benefits
Concrete actions are already in motion. The RMSC plans to launch a dedicated Human Capital website to provide easy access to relevant educational programmes and resources. The organisation is engaging with industry associations to align efforts on overarching workforce themes and to collaborate closely with Young RMSC. Furthermore, RMSC intends to maintain an active presence at major port events such as the Wereldhavendagen (World Port Day), offering young professionals and members opportunities to connect through hackathons and Match Days.
Members are also encouraged to exchange ideas on product innovation, particularly regarding diversity and inclusion, internationalisation, health, and workplace equality.
Importance of collaboration
For Smit-Bennemeer, these initiatives are not merely administrative tasks but essential steps toward ensuring the vitality of the wider maritime cluster. By addressing Human Capital challenges collaboratively, the sector can improve its image, attract and retain qualified personnel, and strengthen RMSC’s role as an accessible and value-driven network. Success, she notes, relies on active member participation—through cooperation, collaboration, and open dialogue.
Whether members seek advice on employee rights, privacy regulations, or evolving workplace environments, the ambassador is committed to connecting them with the right expertise within the RMSC network.
