The Board of Directors of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges has appointed Rob Smeets as CEO of the Port Authority of Antwerp-Bruges for a period of six years. Smeets succeeds Jacques Vandermeiren, who announced his resignation on April 14, and since his departure, the new leader had been serving as interim CEO.
The port authority has indicated that the appointment is the result of a selection process carried out in recent weeks, during which a committee of the board evaluated several candidates before settling on Smeets. The executive has over two decades of experience in the port authority, where he has held a series of responsible positions, including the management of the towing department, nautical operations management, and Chief Operating Officer (COO).
The board has noted that his extensive experience within the organization and his knowledge of port operations and various stakeholder groups place him in an ideal position to lead the port authority during a period marked by significant investments, geopolitical uncertainty, and the challenges facing the European industry.
I thank the Board of Directors for their trust. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges occupies a strong international position and has exceptional employees, clients, and partners. Together we want to continue building a port that increases its impact, is prepared for tomorrow's challenges, and consolidates its position as a leading port on a global scale,” stated Rob Smeets.
