The Supervisory Board of the Maritime Research Institute of the Netherlands (MARIN) has appointed Olaf Waals and Hannes Bogaert as the new Board of Directors of the institute as of 1 January 2025. Together, they will take over from Bas Buchner, MARIN’s current President.
Waals, currently manager of the Offshore department, will take up the position of President. Hannes Bogaert, currently manager of the Performance at Sea department, will take up the position of Vice President.
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Two people to take over due to growth
Earlier this year, Buchner indicated that he wanted to step down as President, and that after fourteen years, it was time for others to take over the leadership of MARIN. For the succession, the Supervisory Board relied on internal candidates in order to optimally guarantee the central role of MARIN’s maritime knowledge and continuity. Another starting point was that the new Board will consist of two people due to the growth of the organisation and the increased complexity.
Waals and Bogaert: ‘We are proud to be able to work together with all our MARIN colleagues, the international maritime sector and the government on a sustainable, innovative and safe future at sea!’
‘I am very happy that Olaf and Hannes will take over,’ adds Buchner. ‘They have all the knowledge and qualities they need. Together with the MARIN colleagues, they stand for the mission of MARIN: a clean, smart and safe maritime sector in the future. I look forward to work with them over the next six months and hand over management.’
The Supervisory Board has full confidence in the new Board of Directors. Rob Verkerk, Chairman: ‘They will safeguard MARIN’s position as an independent global top institute for the maritime sector and set their own course to further develop MARIN.’
Photo: Olaf Waals, Hannes Bogaert and Bas Buchner.
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