Rob Smeets, who has been serving as interim CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges since the early departure of Jacques Vandermeiren, is to remain in post on a permanent basis. The board of directors has awarded him a six-year term.
Vandermeiren left his post earlier than expected due to the size of the projects ahead. Over the next decade, the port must raise around 5 billion euros for major projects, including new coastal locks and the ECA (Extra Container Capacity Antwerp) expansion in Doel. He believed that such a challenge was best handed to a new CEO who could see it through from the start.
Smeets, who took over the role on an interim basis, had made no secret of his ambitions, signalling early on that he was keen to stay. Following a selection process in which dozens of candidates were assessed, the board said the Dutchman had emerged as the strongest candidate.
"With his extensive experience within the organisation, his in-depth knowledge of the port and its operations, and his familiarity with the broad stakeholder environment, Rob Smeets has a strong foundation on which to lead Port of Antwerp-Bruges," the board said.
Smeets has been with the port authority for nearly twenty years, having served as head of the Tugboat Company from 2014, nautical operations director from 2017, and COO and member of the executive committee from 2019. His appointment makes him the second Dutch national to head a Belgian seaport, after Cas König took the helm at North Sea Port in Ghent.
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\n belganewsagency.eu \n Initial reactions from the port community have been positive. Smeets is well regarded for his deep knowledge of port operations, and his strong ties with Rotterdam are seen as an asset - particularly given ongoing discussions about a possible future form of integration between the two ports.
The task ahead is formidable. The port authority's finances are stretched, with major infrastructure projects consuming all available capital expenditure. PFAS clean-up costs, the energy crisis and inflation have further depleted reserves, while Flanders is contributing less financially than in the past.
Smeets said he was grateful for the trust placed in him. "Port of Antwerp-Bruges is currently strongly positioned internationally and has excellent staff, customers and partners," he said. "Together, we want to continue building a port that strengthens its impact, is ready for the challenges of tomorrow and further expands its position as a global port."
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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