acques Vandermeiren has officially stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of the Port of AnJtwerp Bruges, concluding an eight year tenure that began in January 2017.
According to the Board of Directors, this leadership change aligns with the port entering a new strategic phase focused on cost efficiency and sustainable value creation. The board concluded that a permanent successor should be brought in to design and implement this incoming strategic plan from the very beginning.
While the search for a new CEO is underway, current Chief Operating Officer Rob Smeets has assumed the role of interim CEO. Smeets is mandated to maintain policy continuity and manage day to day port operations during the transition period.
Board President Johan Klaps praised Vandermeiren’s major contributions over the last eight years. Klaps specifically highlighted Vandermeiren’s role in executing the historic merger between the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, which successfully shaped the organization into the unified logistics hub it is today. His tenure was also marked by significant advancements in port innovation, sustainability, and international standing.
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Vandermeiren stated it was the right time for a new era for both himself and the organization. He expressed pride in transforming the port into a modern, high performing company and thanked his teams for their work. Interim CEO Rob Smeets echoed this sentiment, affirming his commitment to keeping operations stable and reliable for both employees and global shipping customers.