The Port of Amsterdam is a major hub for a multitude of agricultural supply chains, including such cargoes as soy and cocoa. These agricultural goods present several sustainability challenges, like deforestation, child labour and loss of biodiversity.

The ambition of Port of Amsterdam is to have fully sustainable goods running through the port. Therefore stimulating the sustainable development of supply chains is a major strategic goal for 2021-2025.

In our next Digital Food webinar, Area Manager Mark Hoolwerf will share the rationale behind this choice, the way Port of Amsterdam intends to realize it and with whom. He will share the challenges the port authority faces and give concrete examples of projects and initiatives.

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This webinar's speaker: Mark Hoolwerf


Mark Hoolwerf has worked at Port of Amsterdam (PoA) since 2015. He began as a trainee and now works as an Area Manager at Port of Amsterdam International, the international department of the port. He is responsible for four regions: UK & Ireland, West Africa, North Africa and Latin America.

Within these regions, the primary focus lies on four activities. First, business development for short sea container traffic. This is primarily focused on the UK & Ireland and centres around creating partnerships across different supply chains. Second, contributing to the international supply chain responsibility of PoA in terms of sustainability. For this activity, Mark conducts substantive analyses for and heads supply chain assessments, is part of a PoA project team to operationalise its strategic goals and is responsible for interaction with NGOs in the international field.

Third, project management. Based on the expertise and experience of Port of Amsterdam, the port offers developmental projects to selected partner ports across the world. Mark’s responsibilities include developing, setting up and leading these projects, planning & control and stakeholder coordination. Fourth, business development for the energy transition. For this new activity, Mark is responsible for assessing market opportunities, approaching foreign authorities and aligning their interests with those of the commercial parties in the port of Amsterdam.

Mark graduated from the University of Amsterdam in 2011 with a master’s degree in Political Science (International Relations) and in 2013 with a master’s degree in European Studies.