Rob Smeets is to become the new Managing Director of the Belgian twin port of Antwerp-Bruges. He succeeds Jacques Vandermeiren, who announced his resignation.
The Board of Directors of the port operator Port of Antwerp-Bruges appointed Smeets for an initial term of six years. His predecessor Vandermeiren had announced in April that he intended to step down as CEO. A selection process followed in recent weeks, in which a commission evaluated several candidates. Smeets emerged as the strongest candidate, the port operator announced.
The new CEO is no stranger to Antwerp and Bruges: Smeets has been working for the port authority for almost 20 years and has already held several management positions. He has been at the helm of the tug company since 2014, became nautical operations manager in 2017 and has been a member of the Executive Board as COO since 2019. After Vandermeiren announced his resignation, Smeets also took on the role of CEO on an interim basis.
“With his extensive experience within the organization, his in-depth knowledge of the port and its functioning and his familiarity with the broad stakeholder environment, Rob Smeets has a strong foundation to lead Port of Antwerp-Bruges,” the Board of Directors announced. They are convinced that he will be able to guide the company in a period characterized by investments, geopolitical changes and challenges for the European industry.
“Excellently positioned internationally”
“I would like to thank the Board of Directors for the trust they have placed in me,” said Smeets on his appointment. “Port of Antwerp-Bruges is now excellently positioned internationally and has excellent employees, customers and partners. Together, we want to continue to work on a port that further expands its impact, is equipped for the challenges of tomorrow and further strengthens its position as a leading global port. I am very much looking forward to this task.”
The Board of Directors said it was pleased to be able to appoint a new CEO so quickly. “Rob knows the Port Authority and the port like no other,” said Chairman Johan Klaps. “He is a familiar face inside and outside the organization, knows our stakeholders and understands how to bring together different interests. He also has extensive experience in managing large budgets, investment programs and change processes. In a phase where implementation and realization are key, we are convinced that Rob, with his pragmatic leadership style, is the right person to lead Port of Antwerp-Bruges.”
“We have gone through a quick but thorough selection process – with a selection committee, extensive interviews and a strong field of candidates,” added Dirk De fauw, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors. “The fact that so many candidates were interested in this position confirms the national and international appeal of Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Due to his experience, port knowledge and leadership qualities, Rob emerged from this process as the strongest candidate. I am convinced that Rob, together with the Board of Directors, the management team, the organization and our customers, will make our port even stronger.”
