Berte Simons named Port of Rotterdam Authority COO
The Port of Rotterdam has appointed Berte Simons as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective January 1, 2025. Simons will join the executive board, alongside CEO Boudewijn Siemons and CFO Vivienne de Leeuw.
The Port Authority’s shareholders, the municipality of Rotterdam and the Dutch national government have appointed Simons to a four-year term as COO, following a recommendation from the Supervisory Board.
“The Supervisory Board is pleased that Berte Simons wants to bring her extensive expertise as a marine engineer to the Port Authority. She brings with her international experience in leading large-scale and complex infrastructure projects in ports and industrial areas, the knowledge and experience we need for a successful and coordinated transition to a fossil-free and circular port,” Chair of the Supervisory Board Koos Timmermans said.
Before joining the Port of Rotterdam, Berte Simons held various positions in the maritime and engineering sectors. She began her career as a maritime officer at North Sea Port and later worked at Royal HaskoningDHV, where she managed international projects in mining, heavy industry, aviation, and maritime sectors. Currently, Simons serves as the director of the CO2 Storage & Transport Systems business unit at Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN), contributing to the Porthos project.
“In the role of COO of the Port Authority, everything comes together for me. The port is a place that is constantly changing and connected to the whole world. A place where the activities of industry, logistics and the living environment come together. I look forward to working with colleagues and stakeholders to contribute to the sustainable development of the port in harmony with the environment,” Simons said.
