MARSTRAT talks to Raymond Siliakus (Europort)

What new developments are occurring in the wider field of the maritime industry? Michiel Spitzer, partner at Marstrat , talks to Raymond Siliakus (Europort’s director). Together, they briefly review the past decade and look ahead to the future.

The strength of Europort lies in genuine connections

For Raymond Siliakus, as Europort’s director, the most memorable period of the past ten years was the COVID-19 crisis. ‘Of course, nothing could stop the developments that were underway in the energy transition, on the labour market, in digitalisation or in finance. Nonetheless, the virus did throw us into a panic a few years ago, as everything came to a standstill, and no one was allowed to hold or attend trade fairs or events. No one could board planes to anywhere and the rules were constantly changing about what we could and couldn’t do. Even so, I kept saying: we’re hosting Europort “in real life” in Ahoy, or not at all. I wouldn’t accept a hybrid fair, with part of the programme online.’

Big Smiles

Michiel Spitzer, partner at Marstrat and involved with various editions of Europort, hasn’t forgotten how touch-and-go things were for Europort in November 2021. ‘It was just on the right side of lockdown. But then we wondered: would visitors want to travel for it? Luckily, it all worked out well and the atmosphere at the fair was incredible.’ Siliakus was vastly relieved that Europort wasn’t cancelled that year and, by 2023, COVID and all the ensuing measures no longer threatened its existence. ‘So, when the fair opened, we were already winning. Everyone was walking around with a big smile on their faces. The exhibition proved the value of Europort for once and for all: everyone wants to see each other in “real life”.’

And things won’t be any different at this upcoming fair in Rotterdam’s Ahoy venue (from 4 to 7 November). According to Siliakus, all parts of the maritime industry – from offshore to the navy and from superyachts to dredgers – are founded on capital investments. You want to be able to see each other face to face for that. In addition, the fair offers visitors the chance to bolster their business contacts and expand their networks.

Meeting the Finnish Delegation

Siliakus believes that the substantive programme, a response to current developments throughout the maritime industry, attracts more visitors to this Rotterdam trade fair. The programme features an important theme that is also relevant for the future: maritime autonomous systems. Marstrat joined forces with Europort to host previous editions of substantive programmes with a focus on that theme. Amongst others, this led to a maritime delegation from Finland coming over, and several meetings between the then-Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs and representatives from the Dutch maritime business community. ‘That’s the strength of the trade fair: networking, talking to people, connecting parties’, Spitzer adds.
Siliakus and Spitzer agree that the government has a large influence on developments in the maritime industry. ‘Everything is interconnected and that’s why both the business community and the government must stress the importance of the maritime industry. We need appropriate legislation and regulations that allows the industry to seize the opportunities and rise to the challenges. I’m sure a lot of conversations at the fair will be about that.’

Moving with the Times

The trade fair’s format adapts to move with the times, and so, some editions ago, Europort organised a ‘green’ route to promote companies that were already actively engaged in the energy transition. ‘We don’t need to highlight that topic anymore, because now every company is working on the energy transition’, Siliakus continues. ‘For this coming edition, we have set up a “circular economy” route taking in businesses that are driving that change. I’m talking about things like cradle to cradle, i.e. reusing materials without value loss. The maritime industry is fully devoted to a sustainable future, including the use of alternative fuels.’

With that future in mind, the industry is looking for young maritime professionals. The trade fair offers a response to that demand too: ten years ago, Spitzer and YoungShip Rotterdam were already involved in an initial programme for talented young people at the maritime trade fair in Ahoy. Arnout Damen, a leading player in the Dutch sector, was one of the speakers with inspiring words for them. This next edition on 7 November will focus on, among other topics, #YoungEuroport; the programme includes a communal breakfast for the young professionals.

Complex Vessels

According to Marstrat’s Spitzer, the maritime industry is a great sector to work in, and asking around the trade fair confirms this opinion. ‘The Netherlands is particularly good at designing, constructing and utilising complex vessels, ranging from naval to workboats and superyachts. In this industry, businesses like to connect with each other for better collaboration and innovation. And that’s something we should be proud of.’ Siliakus thinks that the focus at Europort will be on those complex vessels in the various subsectors. ‘We are very happy to show our international colleagues everything the Netherlands has to offer. The world is our playground. Over half the exhibitors at the fair, and a quarter of the visitors, are not from the Netherlands.’

The Message

When asked for a message for the maritime industry, Europort’s Raymond Siliakus has a clear answer: continue to innovate while always looking to collaborate, that’s how we can make a difference. ‘And visit Europort, of course. It’s great to see each other again every two years. At the fair, we speak to people from many different cultures. But we have one thing in common, an ambition that unites us: a strong, innovative maritime industry.’