OUR FUTURE PORT EXECUTIVES

Ports all over the world are dealing with rapidly changing markets and many challenges in the field of logistics, technology and operations, to name a few. The Port of Rotterdam Industrial Complex is regarded internationally as a leader in efficient and sustainable development. To retain this position, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and Erasmus University have developed a programme in which this knowledge and experience can be shared with port executives from Rotterdam and the world: Port Executive Leadership Circle. The transition from fossil to renewable fuels, process automation and creating employment, transforming old ports into attractive urban areas: these are the complex challenges not only facing Rotterdam but all port cities worldwide. “To make ports and port authorities future proof, new port executives need new qualities. By offering a joint study programme, we can share our knowledge and skills with the port executives of the future and thus ensure that ports have maximum impact on society,” says Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority. “Combining academic insights with the practical knowledge of the port generates special interaction. And we need that because the challenges we are facing in Rotterdam require special, integrated solutions for which we look beyond the borders of our own disciplines. Through regional co-creation, we ensure a Sustainable Rotterdam Delta,” says Rutger Engels, Rector Magnificus at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Port Executive Leadership Circle

During an intensive week, future port executives will be given the opportunity to update their port -related knowledge at academic level as well as share knowledge with each other. Unlike most leadership programmes, the Port Executive Leadership Circle uses cases that are contributed by the participants themselves. An academic approach is taken to these complex problems so that the participants can learn to understand them better in their totality and start to work on possible solutions.  Another thing that makes the programme special is the personalised development process. From the in-depth personal intake to the development of tailored study material based on the input of participants and the follow-up of individual leadership programmes later. “You don’t just learn in the programme, you actively contribute by sharing your knowledge. In this way, we create an ongoing learning circle of people who are dedicated to changing the leadership in the port,” says Dr Hannes Leroy, academic director of Erasmus Centre for Leadership.

More information

The Port Executive Leadership Circle is a joint initiative of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics and the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Watch the video below. Interested in the program? Sign up here.