Hans Rook (65), senior adviser at Portbase, will take over as chair of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA) as of 1 January 2017. He will succeed Alan Long in the position. The motion to appoint Rook was unanimously carried by the Executive Committee members at a conference in Abu Dhabi. IPSCA, the worldwide association of Port Community Systems, promotes the interests of e-logistics as one of major pillars supporting the development of the maritime and airport-related logistical sector. The appointment of Rook, who has fulfilled the role of vice-chairman in past years, is a sign of recognition for his expertise and years of dedication.
Hans Rook has been working for Portbase since 2002, when the company was still known as Port infolink, and has contributed to laying the foundation for the Port Community System in the Netherlands. With his arrival, Portbase gained an experienced port professional whose wealth of knowledge has continued to be of inestimable value to the company, all the way to the present day. Portbase Managing Director Iwan van der Wolf: “Hans is the port. His IT and port logistics experience is part of the reason Portbase is where it is today. We are proud of his appointment and confident that, in him, IPCSA has chosen a solid successor for Alan Long.” Before joining Portbase, Hans was employed by Cornelder and the Royal Burger Group, holding various positions within those organisations.
IPCSA
IPCSA is the successor to the European Port Community Systems Association (EPCSA). This association was founded in June 2011 by six members, all of whom were Port Community Systems located in Europe. The impetus behind the EPCSA’s formation was a desire to influence government policy at an international level, primarily through lobbying, in order to promote e-logistics as the key element in developing the international maritime, shipping, air cargo and logistical sector.
On 1 September 2014, the name of the trade association was changed from ‘European’ to ‘International’ in order to better reflect the growing membership, which currently includes 31 PCS providers including 11 from outside the European community. These PCS providers operate in over 100 ports, handling in excess of 175m TEUs and 5 billion tonnes of Cargo, exchanging in excess of 10 billion messages per annum. IPCSA and its members play a crucial role in promoting trade internationally. The digital communications platforms provided by these Port Community Systems ensure smooth transport and logistical operations at hundreds of sea ports, airports and inland ports.
