Symposium: China in the Maritime World
Association Nederland - China (VNC) organised a Symposium on Friday 24 March on China's role in the Maritime World. The meeting took place at the recently renovated and reopened Hotel Havendijk, and was a gathering for various stakeholders within the Rotterdam Port world. The various speakers at the symposium focused on China's impact on the Dutch maritime-logistics hub function in the coming decades. Dr Bart Kuipers, one of the authors of the research report 'Navigating an uncertain future', commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management & Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the main question: What is the expected development of China's influence on the central position of the Dutch maritime-logistics hub function in the coming decades.
After the opening by former minister Bernard Blok, an engaging discussion panel took place with several leading experts from the maritime sector. The panellists included Sea and Shore's CEO, Ing. Kees Moolenaar, who highlighted China's positive influence on the maritime sector. He articulated this fittingly by saying, "We forfeit growth momentum when we try to restrain others instead of guiding them in that expansion... ". This underlines that China's growing influence provides an excellent opportunity for Dutch companies to further grow and prosper in the maritime sector, which will be beneficial for parties such as Sea and Shore.
During the symposium, Dr Bart Kuipers, one of the authors of the research report 'Navigating an uncertain future', gave insight into the expected development of China's influence on the Dutch maritime logistics hub function. He stressed that China is a major economic power and therefore the Netherlands should continue to cooperate with China to maintain its competitive position. Kuipers indicated that "China is an important partner in the maritime sector and the Netherlands cannot do without China." He also stressed that the development of China's international trade and the emergence of China's maritime routes mainly provide opportunities for Dutch companies to strengthen their position in the sector. "China will play an increasing role in international trade and will continue to be the biggest economic force in the future. This will create more demand for maritime services and it offers opportunities for Dutch companies to position themselves as key players in the sector," Kuipers said.
These talks and discussions are very beneficial for logistics parties such as Sea and Shore Services, as they offer insights and knowledge about developments in the maritime sector and how companies can respond to them. This allows us to improve our services and expertise and serve our customers better.
Overall, the symposium was a valuable meeting for anyone interested in the maritime sector and China's role in it. The discussions and presentations gave a deeper insight into the developments and challenges we can expect in the coming years and how to anticipate them. We look forward to future events and talks that will help us improve our services and enhance our competitiveness.
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