September 19,2023

We are going offshore with Bert de Groot

Bert de Groot has joined the Euro Nordic team as Offshore Manager.

bert de groot, offshore manager, euro nordic, agency rotterdam, port of rotterdam

Since 1981, Bert has made significant strides within the port of Rotterdam. Describing himself as a seasoned veteran is exaggerated for him. What drives Bert is inspiring young colleagues to embrace the ‘most beautiful profession in the world.’

Bert ended up working in the port by chance. “A waiter in the pub where I always drank a beer drew my attention to a vacancy at Rotterdam Steamship Company. I remember the job interview very well. It was 1980, different times. I walked into the interview wearing my father’s blazer and my brother’s tie,” Bert says with a laugh. As a water clerk, Bert stepped aboard the most beautiful vessels and remembers in vivid detail what he experienced. Those were his first steps within the port.

After 7 years, it was time for a new challenge. Bert found this at Ruys & Co., the move to Gebr. Broere and subsequently Furness soon followed. In 1988, Broere was acquired by Pakhoed. Shortly thereafter, Furness was also incorporated by the same Dutch oil giant. In 1999, the merger between Pakhoed and Van Ommeren was completed; the Vopak brand was born. From water clerk, to Operator, to Offshore Manager. Bert found his way and remained loyal to Vopak for a total of 32 years. After the acquisition of Vopak Agencies by Wilhelmsen, it was time for a new adventure.

Bert started at Euro Nordic as Offshore Manager with a sense of familiarity. A handshake with CEO Kees Groeneveld was sufficient, according to Bert: “In this role, I am responsible for expanding our offshore activities.”

The beauty of the profession

“We are the grease of the port,” is Bert’s answer to the question of what Euro Nordic does within the Dutch and Belgian seaports. “It is a beautiful profession that has changed significantly in recent decades due to the advent of digitalisation. For instance, I used to go on board a vessel and coordinate the wish list directly with the captain. Now, my young colleagues receive an email from sea with all the necessities. The personal contact and the charm of that are sometimes gone.”

With the arrival of Bert, we have an experienced colleague in our midst with a shared passion for the maritime world. Bert also lives by the motto ‘Consider it done’. Aside from his daily activities, Bert hasn’t completely let go of our beautiful profession. In 1982, Bert became a member of the Rotterdamsche Waterklerken Vereeniging. An association with a real ‘old boys network’ feeling, according to Bert. “As chairman, together with a few other port enthusiasts, I organise fun events where we bring young and old together. In addition, I recruit partners and members for our wonderful association and get young people excited about our beautiful field of work.”

We are excited to welcome Bert to our company and greatly appreciate his knowledge. On behalf of the entire Euro Nordic team, a warm welcome and best of luck!