Daan Schalck steps down as North Sea Port CEO
Daan Schalck, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the port authority of North Sea Port, has decided to step down from his position at the end of 2024, for personal reasons. The port authority of the merged ports of Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Ghent is set to start the search for his replacement soon.
Following 15 years of service, starting in 2009 as director general of Ghent Port Company and moving to CEO of North Sea Port in 2018, Daan Schalck is shifting the direction of his career. For personal reasons, he has chosen to depart from the port authority after discussing it with the Supervisory Body.
“We thank Daan Schalck for his drive and decisiveness. Thanks to his knowledge and experience, he further developed Ghent Port Authority and helped bring the merger of the port of Ghent and Zeeland Seaports (Vlissingen and Terneuzen) to a successful conclusion. With North Sea Port, he was able to set milestones, including the realisation of the Strategic Plan and the New Lock in Terneuzen. He has put the port authority on the map and guided it through difficult periods, such as the Brexit, the energy crisis and the consequences of the war in Ukraine. We are very grateful for this and wish him the best of luck,” said Pieter van Geel, chairman of North Sea Port’s Supervisory Body.
Schalck will continue to be involved until the year ends and will closely collaborate with the directors. During this transition phase, some of his responsibilities have been delegated to the other directors, ensuring continuity.
Ambitious goals ahead
Meanwhile, North Sea Port’s ambitions, as described in the strategic plan ‘Connect 2025,’ remain intact. The aim is to continue developing the cross-border port area in the coming years. The port authority will continue focusing on economic development, employment, sustainability, and climate and work towards a financially sound foundation.
“The location, multimodality and diversification in goods make North Sea Port an important European port. It is imperative that we consolidate that position. That means we continue to focus on sustainable transport and circular economy, among other things. We are a connector that brings together many parties – such as companies, shipping companies, transporters, governments and local residents – in order to arrive at supported solutions that contribute to the prosperity of Flanders and the Netherlands. The new CEO will help shape these ambitions”, according to the North Sea Port directors.
