Newly appointed commercial manager for Zeeland Seaports

In June, as part of the continuing drive to grow its port activities together with its Biopark Terneuzen initiative, Zeeland Seaports appointed Peter Geertse (42) to the post of Commercial Manager. Geertse, whose training is in commercial economics and port and transport management, brings 23 years of shipping and container operations’ knowledge and expertise to the job. His recent experience includes 11 years in a senior management post with the EWL/Europe West Indies Lines and before that with Hamburg Sud.

Commenting on the appointment, Hans van der Hart, General Director of ZSP, Zeeland Seaports, says: “In addition to his industry credentials, Peter Geertse brings a high level of energy, imagination and organisation to the job. I’m sure that we will see this reflected in the realisation of plans we have for the future expansion of the ports and development of the industrial terrains in and around the port areas.”

“This is a particularly important time in the ongoing development of Zeeland Seaports and I am very excited to be part of the team contributing to its next stage of growth,” says Peter Geertse. “The Port of Vlissingen is currently developing three mega container terminals, while Biopark Terneuzen, which is also my responsibility, is targeting further expansion that presents very real challenges.”

“Biopark Terneuzen is unique”, Geertse says. “Developing an area where Bio & Agri-industrial plants are linked to exchange and reuse their waste and by products may sound futuristic or utopian. It is not. Biopark Terneuzen is operational in many ways already and we are in discussion with new participants who should soon extend our Smart Links. I strongly believe Biopark Terneuzen is a realistic route that society must increasingly take to conserve natural resources and, at the same time, maintain quality of life”, he explains.

“These developments are based on sustainable-industry concepts and have wide implications for the local economy. They are designed to attract new trade and new business to the region, as well as encourage investment in existing businesses. In turn this will create new work opportunities”, he adds.

Source: American Shipper