Event Recap Portlantis: Turning CSRD from Obligation to Opportunity
On April 15th, members of the Rotterdam Maritime Services Community (RMSC) and the Rotterdam Port Promotion Council (RPPC) gathered for an insightful session exploring the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Hosted in collaboration with experts from KPMG and Tog@ther, the event offered a clear view of how companies in the maritime cluster can turn regulatory requirements into strategic advantage.
Navigating the evolving ESG landscape
Lisanne Paans and Tijmen Oudshoorn (KPMG) provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of CSRD and its recent revisions under the EU’s Omnibus directive. While some obligations have been eased, the demand for transparent and reliable ESG data continues to rise from investors, clients, governments, and employees. The key takeaway: ESG is here to stay, and companies need to adapt.
From compliance to commercial value
The session highlighted that ESG reporting is becoming a critical factor in securing financing, winning contracts, and strengthening supply chain relationships. With practical approaches such as the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME), companies can align ESG efforts with stakeholder expectations and strategic goals — without being overwhelmed by complexity.
Where to start: Taking action today
Participants received actionable guidance to begin their ESG journey:
- Identify the overlap between internal ambitions and external stakeholder demands;
- Choose the right reporting standard (e.g. in-house templates, VSME, or ESRS);
- Begin collecting key data and close any identified gaps;
- Build a scalable ESG reporting structure that supports long-term value creation.
Collaboration as a catalyst
Renze Boersema (Tog@ther) emphasized the importance of industry collaboration. By setting a shared minimum standard and exchanging knowledge, maritime companies can avoid fragmentation and accelerate the ESG transition as a collective. ESG should not be a solitary effort — it’s a shared opportunity for growth.
Conclusion: ESG is not a trend, but a transformation
CSRD is not just a compliance framework — it’s a strategic lens through which companies can reflect on their impact and direction. The maritime and logistics sector is entering a new phase of sustainability. Early movers will lead the way.
