The Rotterdam Port Personality of the Year Foundation has elected Allard Castelein as Port Personality of the Year 2023. Castelein was CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority until 15 July of this year.
A Port Personality of the Year has distinguished himself/herself in the past twelve months with a positive contribution to the maritime and industrial development of the port of Rotterdam, or is chosen based on his/her past merits. In the case of Castelein, in the opinion of the Foundation, both are the case.
Also read: Jan Overdevest elected Port Personality of the Year 2022
Leading the port of Rotterdam’s transformation
Since taking office in 2014 as CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Castelein has been at the forefront of the port’s radical transformation. Under his leadership, the Port Authority has managed to commit the business community – both old and new – to the goal of a CO2-neutral port. A portfolio of over fifty projects has been developed, all focused on energy transition.
In 2023, Castelein was able to reap many fruits of the work done in previous years. A number of long-term projects came to a breakthrough or completion this year. Examples include Gasunie’s investment in the hydrogen network, the licence application for Eneco’s hydrogen plant, the green light for Porthos (storage of CO2 in the North Sea), and the roll-out of shore power and a heat pipeline.
On the logistics front, 2023 was also a memorable year with the introduction of NextLogic, the commissioning of the Container Exchange Route – both after years of lead-up – while APM Terminals and RWG announced expansions of their terminals on Maasvlakte II.
Also read: Boskalis commissions 2 GWh shore power facility in Rotterdam
43rd port promotor
Castelein is the 43rd port promoter in a row to be presented with the award, which has existed since 1981 and was established at the time by the former Rotterdam port press club Kyoto. He will be the successor to Jan Overdevest, CEO of the Waalhaven Group, the still serving Port Personality of the Year 2022.
By tradition, the award will be presented at a festive gathering on the second Monday of the new year (8 January 2024), in the presence of former Port Personalities, port authorities, members of the port community and media representatives.
The Port Personality of the Year Foundation consists of a board of four independent journalists, the three most recently elected Port Personalities, the most recently elected Young Port Talent and three sponsors of the Foundation.
Also read: Bart Leenders elected Port Personality of the Year 2021
