Balkenende News

A group of Dutch multinationals including FrieslandCampina, Heineken, Philips, DSM, Shell and Unilever, all members of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition (DSGC), will join forces with A.P. Moller - Maersk on a pilot testing the use of second-generation biofuel.The test is part of an effort by Maersk to reach its net zero CO2 target by 2050 as a tangible step towards the decarbonization of ocean shipping.A pilot, using up to 20% sustainable second-generation biofuels on a large triple-E ocean vessel will sail 25.000 nautical miles from Rotterdam to Shanghai and back on biofuel blends alone, a world’s first at this scale, saving 1…

The advisory committee is, together with the board of trustees, the strategic advisory body of the PortXL accelerator program. PortXL is a mentorship driven open innovation program to accelerate tech startups from all over the world focusing on port related industries. The program wants to strengthen innovative activities into the ecosystem of Rotterdam and open the port of Rotterdam network to startups. "We are proud to have such a broad mix of leaders from various markets and areas of expertise. With the knowledge and experience of the advisory committee we get the best advice on developments of markets and innovation challenges. With their encouragement we are assured of a team of fantastic experts!" says a company press release.

Keppel Telecommunications & Transportation Ltd (Keppel T&T) officially opened its Almere Data Centre 2 today, its first greenfield data centre in Europe*. The opening of the facility was attended by Guest-of-Honour Prof. Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and Partner, Corporate Responsibility at EY. Also in attendance were Mr John Neary, Ambassador of Ireland to the Netherlands, Mr Ethan Chua, Deputy Chief of Mission & Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Mark Pol, Vice Mayor of the City of Almere for Finance, Economic Affairs and Municipal Real Estate and Mr Alexander Van Der Hooft, EVP Operations Business Market at KPN.

‘Addressing the Challenges of New Frontiers’ is the topical theme for the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Annual Seminar being held in Singapore November 6-7, 2013. The program for the 18th seminar in the annual series is now online at imca-int.com/events/imca-annual-seminar.aspx, and registration is open. Open to members and non-members alike, the seminar features keynote addresses, presentations, workshops and discussions on diving including key developments and advances in diving equipment and operations; marine and subsea operations including DP operations; marine operations, technology and equipment; offshore surveying in remote and harsh environments; ROV and AUV resources and developments in technology.

In a time where the maritime market struggles with the effects of the economic recession, the need for a maritime meeting place seems larger than ever. The exhibition Europort, that was held in Rotterdam from 3 until 6 November in Ahoy Rotterdam, saw a record number of 900 exhibitors from 35 countries this year. This was the first time the exhibition was completely sold out. The central exhibition theme this year was Advanced Technology, imagination becoming reality. Over 31.000 maritime professionals visited Europort. Pete Hogett, Sales manager for Lincoln Diesels Spares Ltd said: “After what has been a difficult and uncertain year for most companies, Lincoln Diesels Spares Ltd.

Europort 2009 will occur from 3 to 6 November 2009. All sectors of the maritime industry, from inland navigation to sea shipping, from naval to dredging and from fishery to offshore, will be brought together in Rotterdam. The central theme of Europort 2009 is Advanced Technology. Newest technologies are aimed at keeping up the pace with increasingly demanding maritime markets. A focus on sustainability and the use of new and advanced technologies are key to solving some of the challenges we face today. The Netherlands is home to a wide variety of maritime disciplines, from world class shipyards to innovative suppliers, and excels in complex shipbuilding, high-quality technologies and engineering.