Silvan Floor is a passionate maritime instructor at Rotterdam Mainport Institute (RMI), admired for his enthusiasm, dedication, and innovative teaching methods. His efforts earned him the Maritime Achievement Award last night during the annual Maritime Awards Gala, held this year at Ahoy Rotterdam.
Drawing on his own experience, Floor inspires students at the RMI to share his love for what he calls ‘the best profession in the world’. According to Floor, education is not just about knowledge, but also about ‘motivation and developing the ability to keep learning independently in a changing industry’.
The jury praised his commitment as an encouragement to all teachers in maritime education. Innovation in maritime education, they noted, is not a luxury but a necessity. Engaging and inspiring students can be a major challenge, which is why teachers who dare to innovate and prioritise interaction deserve recognition.
Floor is a shining example of educational innovation. By making his elective course on the Small Boat Licence (Klein Vaarbewijs) both interactive and engaging, he successfully prepares a wide range of university students for safe and responsible behaviour on the water. His approach is pioneering, personal, and deeply inspiring. The jury is convinced that, thanks to him, these students will not only graduate with flying colours, but also have a bright future ahead of them in the maritime sector.
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Other nominees
In addition to Silvan Floor, there were two other nominees. The first was Portlantis of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Portlantis is a brand new, interactive experience centre that takes visitors into the story of the port of Rotterdam and the maritime sector. Here, young and old discover the meaning of the maritime sector through play. The high number of visitors since the opening underlines the success.
Heerema Marine Contractors was nominated with its film on the offshore installation of the He Dreiht offshore wind farm. With the impressive film, Heerema shows how innovation and care for nature can go hand in hand. When installing offshore wind turbines, the company applies advanced noise reduction techniques with real-time monitoring to protect marine life. The nomination was an appreciation of Heerema’s social commitment.
The Maritime Achievement Award is characterised by social recognition of a maritime achievement. The central question is which development has had the greatest added value for the Netherlands and/or is a calling card for the Netherlands as a maritime country. Based on submission or nomination, the award is open to, preferably Dutch, natural persons and legal entities that have played a distinctive role in an innovative way for the benefit of the positive position of the Dutch maritime sector.
Also read: And the nominees for the Maritime Awards 2025 are…
Maritime Awards Gala
The Maritime Awards Gala took place on Monday evening, 3 November, at Ahoy Rotterdam. During the Maritime Awards Gala, more than 900 maritime professionals and stakeholders meet to celebrate the innovative capacity of the Dutch maritime sector together with politicians, the press and the nominees.
Every year, five awards are presented at the Gala; the Ship of the Year Award, the Maritime Innovation Award, the Maritime Talent Award, the Maritime Achievement Award and the Maritime Security Award.
Picture (top): Silvan Floor (right) receiving the Maritime Achievement Award at the Maritime Awards Gala (photo by Maritime Awards Gala).
