NLMA central at General Meeting KVNR
Spring edition General Meeting
This week, members of the Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR) gathered at the Rotterdam football stadium De Kuip for the regular spring edition of the General Meeting.
KVNR Chairman Theo Klimp (Royal Wagenborg) reflected on the significant unpredictability and uncertainty that maritime shipping faces worldwide. At the same time, there is an increasing call from the government for collaboration with Dutch shipowners to enhance our resilience and strategic autonomy in the Netherlands and Europe. This context underscores the importance of the Dutch Maritime Authority (NLMA), the central topic during the networking meeting following the closed General Meeting.
Meanwhile, the members paused to reflect on personal and collective experiences within the association. Recently, former KVNR employee Tonnis Tammes passed away, who faithfully attended KVNR networking events even long after his retirement. Last Friday, KVNR board member Karin Orsel (MF Shipping Group) received the IMO Gender Equality Award from Arsenio Dominguez at the IMO headquarters in London. Additionally, the KVNR board composition is changing. The vacant seat following the resignation of board member Daan Koornneef (Jumbo Maritime) will be filled by Willem van der Wel (Windcat Workboats).
NLMA Networking Event
After the networking lunch, KVNR director Annet Koster opened the session together with Stefanie Spekreijse (NLMA director on behalf of ILT). In the afternoon, the focus was on the Dutch Maritime Authority (NLMA).
Perhaps the most significant statement about the importance of the NLMA was when she stated that “we must be able to respond to the changing circumstances in the world that you (shipowners) also face. We hope to contribute to this with the NLMA.” This tied in with Theo Klimp's words during the General Meeting in the morning about the geopolitical reality faced by the sector.
In one of the breakout sessions, attendees split up to discuss government services to shipowners flying the Dutch flag. This included topics like the digitization of crew certificates, complete with a demonstration. The other two breakout sessions focused on other development lines: setting up an innovation desk to support shipowners in innovating and modernizing laws and regulations related to maritime shipping.
The event concluded with an enjoyable networking drink to extensively discuss the future of seafaring in the Netherlands.
