Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, has been elected as the IAPH vice-president for Europe, focusing on collaboration and sustainability.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, has been elected regional vice-president for Europe on the board of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).
Mr. Siemons became CEO of Europe's largest port in 2024 after serving as interim CEO and COO. He joined the Port of Rotterdam in 2020 from Royal Vopak, where he led operations in North and Latin America and held senior roles in Europe, the Middle East, and the US. He previously worked at Royal VolkerWessels and began his career in the Netherlands Royal Navy.
IAPH President Jens Meier, CEO of Hamburg Port Authority, welcomed the appointment, noting Rotterdam's strong support for IAPH initiatives including the Environmental Ship Index, clean marine fuels, port readiness, and onshore power projects.
Mr. Siemons said he was honored to join the board and pledged to intensify collaboration among ports, focusing on decarbonization, digital interoperability, and supply chain resilience. He stated that ports can build a community unified in purpose and bold in action.
His mandate runs until the 2027 Annual General Meeting, coinciding with next year's World Ports Conference. He succeeds Jacques Vandermeiren, former CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, who stepped down in April.
Founded in 1955, IAPH represents 212 port authorities and 184 port-related businesses worldwide. Member ports handle over one third of global sea-borne trade and more than 60 percent of container traffic, and the association leads industry initiatives on sustainability, resilience, and digitalization.