Shareholders at the Port of Rotterdam Authority have appointed a new Chief Operating Officer.
Effective January 1, 2025, Berte Simons will take on the role and join the executive board. Simons succeeds Boudewijn Siemons, who was appointed CEO and interim COO in February 2024.
“The Supervisory Board is pleased that Berte Simons wants to bring her extensive expertise as a marine engineer to the Port Authority,” said Chair of the Supervisory Board, Koos Timmermans. “She brings with her international experience in leading large-scale and complex infrastructure projects in ports and industrial areas, the knowledge and experience we need for a successful and coordinated transition to a fossil-free and circular port.”
After completing her training as a maritime officer, Berte Simons began her career in 2003 as a policy officer at North Sea Port. She held various management positions at international consulting and engineering firm Royal HaskoningDHV, where she managed international projects in the mining, heavy industry, aviation and maritime sectors.
“In the role of COO of the Port Authority, everything comes together for me,” Simons said. “The port is a place that is constantly changing and connected to the whole world. A place where the activities of industry, logistics and the living environment come together.”
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