Allard Castelein is to serve a second term as CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. The 59-year-old, who first took office in 2014, was reappointed by the authority’s two shareholders, the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Dutch state, on the recommendation of the supervisory board.

Under his tenureship, the port has thrived in an increasingly competitive marketplace, with its rail freight infrastructure key to much of its economic activity. Around 250 weekly intermodal rail cargo services start and end at the port, providing transportation of dry bulk, general rail cargo and chemical products. Many port terminals have their own rail transfer facilities so that cargo at the terminal can be placed on a train immediately. The Rail Service Center Rotterdam (RSC) is also located in the port of Rotterdam.

Strategy

Castelein, who has held various positions in The Netherlands and abroad, including over 25 years with Royal Dutch Shell, said: “I am delighted that in the period ahead, we will be able to continue expanding the implementation of the strategy that we developed as a Port Authority – a strategy we already made a good start on these past few years, together with our many partners and stakeholders.

“Thanks to digitisation and the energy transition, this is a period of major changes for the port. The Port Authority and the companies established in the port complex need to continue playing an active role when it comes to taking on these challenges for the future.”

‘the right man’

Rutger van Stabbe, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said: “Over the past few years, Allard Castelein has proven to be the right man in the right place for the Port Authority and the Port of Rotterdam in this period of change. We wish him the best of luck over the next four years in further developing our port and industrial complex into the world’s smartest and best port.”