University Of Rotterdam News

The European Commission released its report on the viability of a financial incentive for sustainable ship recycling under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation this week. Whilst it acknowledges the benefits for clean and safe ship recycling such an incentive would bring, the European Commission has decided to wait with its introduction. NGOs urge the EU to take action now as it is well documented that ship owners will with ease be able to circumvent the EU Ship Recycling Regulation by simply swapping the flag of their vessel to that of a non-EU State. The report of the European Commission is based on the study which was conducted by Ecorys, DNV-GL and the University of Rotterdam/Erasmus, and published at the end of 2016.

The Port of Rotterdam is pioneering a new technology it says will make the port smarter: a water drone. Ever since the 'insane' plan of Pieter Caland to build the Nieuwe Waterweg, new solutions that make the port of Rotterdam smarter, more efficient, better and more sustainable are thought up constantly. One of the latest developments is the water drone. “Innovation flows through Rotterdam, like the water through the Maas,” a poetic entrepreneur once said. That is definitely true. Not because it is 'nice to have', but because it is a necessary step towards a successful future. Therefore, the Port Authority is fully committed to all possible ways of innovation, says Allard Castelein, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Allard added: “Innovation cannot be forced.

Imtech Marine, the maritime technologies arm of the recently bankrupt Royal Imtech N.V., announced it has signed on for a prolonged stay at the RDM Innovation Dock where technical students work to develop new maritime technologies such as autonomous and emission free sailing. According to Imtech Marine, Rotterdam’s position in the maritime market makes it “the perfect place to invest in a greener future” and “raise interest of technical talents to come and work in the maritime sector,” the company said in a press release.

The Municipality of Rotterdam, Port of Rotterdam Authority (PoR), Erasmus University of Rotterdam and Rotterdam partners are joining hands to put Rotterdam more clearly on the map, both at home and abroad. The concerted profile under the motto ‘Make it Happen’ reflects the typical Rotterdam mentality and shows what the city, port and inhabitants stand for: pioneering, groundbreaking and no-nonsense. This unique collaboration aims to attract and retain the highly educated, businesses, trade, visitors and citizens. hmed Aboutaleb (mayor of Rotterdam), Allard Castelein (president of the PoR), Pauline van der Meer Mohr (President of the Executive Board of Erasmus University) and Ron Voskuilen (president of Rotterdam Partners) kicked off the collaboration today at Central Station.

Hapag-Lloyd announced changes in its Executive Board resulting from departure of Michael Behrendt and Ulrich Kranich; Anthony J. Rolf Habben Jansen, who has been a member of the Hapag-Lloyd AG's Executive Board since April 1, has assumed the position of CEO effective July 1. He succeeds Michael Behrendt, who left the Hapag-Lloyd AG's Executive Board as scheduled on June 30, as did COO Ulrich Kranich. The new COO is Anthony J. Firmin who joined the Executive Board today after 19 years at the company. Peter Ganz continues as CFO, a position he has held since April 2009.

SGX Mainboard-listed Chemoil (SGX-ST: CHEL.SI), an independent marine fuel suppliers, announced it has appointed Michiel Van Eijck to the position of Sales and Marketing Director for Europe. Van Eijck will maintain relationships Chemoil has developed with its European customers across its diversified supply chain operations worldwide. Prior to joining Chemoil, Van Eijck was Director of Mergers and Acquisitions with Dutch energy provider Eneco Holdings N.V. He has also previously held managerial roles in sales, sourcing and supply with E.ON Benelux and Vopak Oil Logistics covering the European and the Middle East markets. Van Eijck holds a Master in Law, Civil Law from the University of Rotterdam. (www.chemoil.com)

Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHIP; SHIP.W) announced that Dimitris Anagnostopoulos has been appointed as member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee. Anagnostopoulos fills the vacant position of Lambros Papakostantinou following his resignation in March 2009. Anagnostopoulos has over forty years of experience in ship finance. His career began in the 1970s at Athens University of Economics followed by four years with the Onassis Group in Monte Carlo. Anagnostopoulos also held various posts at Continental Illinois National Bank of Chicago, Greyhound Corporation, and with ABN AMRO, where he has spent nearly two decades with the company, holding positions of senior vice-president and head of shipping.

The International Ship Recycling Association has appointed maritime expert Arjen Uytendaal as Director. The Association was founded in 2007 by a group of stakeholders in the ship recycling industry made up of Processing Yards, Classification Societies and a Ship Owner. In order to achieve their goal of promoting green ship recycling - as opposed to the traditional beaching - the organization is now ready for the next step. Arjen Uytendaal, former P&O Nedlloyd director and now independent maritime professional, will be tasked to promote I.S.R.A. among all stakeholders. “It is extremely important that I.S.R.A is recognized as the single authority representing all recycling yards in the world, working to the latest I.M.O.