The collaboration between Venturn and APM Terminals Maasvlakte II (APMT MVII) is one we are now proud of. Not only because APMT MVII is one of the most advanced terminals in the world, but above all because Venturn Young Professionals are given the space here to learn, discover, and make an impact. There are currently four VYP members working at Maasvlakte II, including Jesper Bras on the expansion team and Merel Wielenga, who recently joined Operations.
Working with multiple VYPs at the same location has clear advantages. Everyone has their own assignment, but it’s easy to connect with one another. Sparring briefly about a challenge or sharing what you’re running into helps you move faster and better understand how everything fits together. Even when you’re in different departments, such as Expansion and Operations, that exchange proves valuable. You have a better sense of what’s going on and get to know the company from multiple perspectives.
Over the years, APMT MVII has been a place where many VYP members have carried out their assignments. From advanced analytics to asset management and from commercial projects to operational improvements. Each project reveals a different part of the terminal, and together these experiences provide a broad picture of how the organisation functions.
Jesper within the expansion team
Jesper carried out a multifaceted assignment within the expansion team at APMT MVII. His work consisted of analyses, research, and contributing ideas about future developments. That meant switching between content, stakeholders, and presenting results.
After an intensive period, it was time to hand over the baton. The work continued, but the next phase required someone who could further advance the project within operations.
The handover: careful and thoughtful
A handover is always an important moment. You want to leave the work of the past months in good shape, while also ensuring that your successor can continue independently. Jesper approached this consciously.
Even before Merel officially started, she was able to shadow the team for a few days. Not to immediately take on full responsibility, but to calmly get to know the team, the systems, and the processes. The technical jargon, which can be overwhelming at first, was also covered extensively.
Those shadowing days helped bring theory and practice together. By actually driving around the terminal, passing the cranes and lashers, and seeing a ship up close, dashboards and abbreviations suddenly gained meaning. What was abstract at first became concrete.
In addition, Jesper ensured a clear transfer of content. The backlog and ongoing analyses were structured and well documented: what had been completed, what was still in progress, and where opportunities for improvement lay. This gave Merel clarity and confidence right from the start.
Merel in operations: a dream assignment
For Merel, this assignment is a great match. In her work within operations, she combines data analysis with the dynamics of daily operations. She looks beyond what is happening at a given moment and searches for patterns, deviations, and trends.
What appeals to her is the number of factors that influence operations. Weather, planning, equipment deployment, productivity per shift, and the timing of vessels all play a role. That complexity means there is something new to learn every day.
An important aspect of her role is the direct impact. The analyses she produces can contribute to solving bottlenecks on the very same day. That quick effect provides energy and makes the work tangible.
Thanks to the early shadowing days, Merel quickly developed a feel for the teams on the terminal. This helps collaboration and ensures that her analyses better align with what is needed on the ground. For her, this assignment feels like a logical next step in which content, pace, and practice come together.
In conclusion
The transition from Jesper to Merel at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II shows how Venturn and APMT MVII work together: professionally, personally, and always focused on growth. For the organization, it means a fresh perspective and continuity. For our VYPs, it means a new opportunity to learn, explore, and build something they can later be proud of.
And for Jesper and Merel? For them, it mainly means a smooth handover, plenty of new insights, and even more motivation to make an impact at one of the most impressive terminals in Europe.
