of Rotterdam? “Certainly, so long as they
to work together in specific projects.
JOINT ShARehOLdeR WITh PORT Of
are at a government level and not private.
The first project is joint research into a
AMSTeRdAM
We must continue to safeguard our
better connection to our petrochemical
Smits is following the possible privatisation
independence.”
industries via pipelines. The second deals
of the Port of Amsterdam with great interest,
with the issue of how two large seaports
as Rotterdam headed out on the same
LARGe CONTAINeR PORT
can best work together with regard to the
path several years ago. “The contact with
With around 11 million TEU, Rotterdam
German hinterland and Central Europe in
our colleagues in Amsterdam is excellent,
was again one of the world’s top ten
order to create more value for our clients.”
both formally and informally. We are a joint
largest container ports in 2010. “This
shareholder in the Portbase port information
indicates our vital importance as a global
Smits started as CEO at the Port of
system, and in Keyrail, the operator of the
container port,” says Smits. “Nonetheless,
Rotterdam in 2005. “My first task was
main goods railway from the Dutch seaports
the main issue is our position within the
to ensure that the Port of Rotterdam
to the German hinterland.”
Le Havre-Hamburg range.” He names
was professionalised in all its facets. The
Antwerp and Hamburg as the main
second was realising the new 1000-
To conclude, how long does the CEO intend
container competitors. “Antwerp is also
hectare port and industrial area on the
to keep enjoying the splendid views from the
our main competitor in the field of
North Sea (Maasvlakte-2) within the
World Port Centre? “My contract runs until 1
chemicals and mineral oil products, while
predetermined time limit and budget. In
January 2013. What happens then depends
our largest competitor in the field of coal
terms of professionalisation we are well
on the Supervisory Board and shareholders.
transhipment is Amsterdam Seaports.”
underway, although I do believe we can
I am really enjoying myself here and would
still further improve our client-orientation.
like to continue if I get the chance. I still have
So how come Rotterdam recently
Maasvlakte-2 is going well, although the
plenty of ambitions for this port.”
entered into a cooperative agreement
sting is usually in the tail in these types of
with Antwerp? “It is a statement of intent
mega-projects.”
kwart pagina sts FC.pdf
1
27-04-10
17:58
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Amsterdam Seaports No. 2 2011 11