The Netherlands: APM Terminals Names New CEO for Europe Region

APM Terminals announces the appointment of Mr. Ben Vree to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Europe Region, effective 13 June 2012.

As Europe’s Regional CEO, based in Rotterdam, Mr. Vree will lead a business that encompasses:

• A combined container volume of 6,737,000 (Equity weighted) TEUs in 2011, representing 36% of total company throughput;

• 12 operating container terminals in 13 countries;

• Six port development and expansion projects:

– Rotterdam, Netherlands New terminal being built

– Vado, Italy New terminal being built

– Wilhelmshaven, Germany New terminal being built

– Poti, Georgia Expansion project

– Gothenburg, Sweden New terminal project

– Port Said, Egypt Expansion project

• 20 inland operations in 18 locations in 10 countries;

• 6,357 employees;

• Revenues of USD 1.2 billion in 2011, representing 25% of APM Terminals global revenue.

Geographically, the region includes responsibility for all of Europe as well as the Southern Mediterranean and Black Sea, including facilities at Tangiers, Morocco; Port Said, Egypt and Poti, Georgia.

“I am excited about this new opportunity to contribute in this challenging market toward the further development and growth of the APM Terminals Global Port, Terminal and Inland Service s Network in the Europe Region, and to become part of the corporate management team. Our goal is to not only grow and optimize the existing network, but also further improve standards on safety and environmental care and expand our customer base”, said Mr. Vree.

Mr. Vree was appointed CEO of APM Terminals Rotterdam earlier this year, with responsibility for overseeing the company’s Maasvlakte I and Maasvlakte II port facilities’ strategic direction and competitive position.

Mr. Vree came to APM Terminals from the North Sea Group, a trade and distribution company for oil products and bio fuels, based in The Netherlands where he served as CEO from 2011 to 2012. Mr. Vree began his career in the Port of Rotterdam in 1975. Following various commercial positions with logistics provider Furness B.V., he worked in ascending management positions with Vopak in Rotterdam and Singapore. He lived in Singapore for nine years, responsible for Vopak’s Asia region and finding time to chair the Association of Dutch Businessmen in Singapore. In 2000, Mr. Vree joined Dutch-based towage company Smit Internationale N.V., rising to CEO and building it into one of the largest towage companies in the world. Smit Internationale was acquired by Boskalis, a dredging firm, in 2010, and Mr. Vree joined the Executive Board of Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., where he was responsible for the Smit activities and integration plan. A resident of Rotterdam, he has been chairman of De Club Rotterdam for five years – a club of business leaders devoted to expanding the city’s business community.

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Dredging Today Staff, June 14, 2012; Image: APM Terminals