40 Under 40

SPOTLIGHTING THE BEST, BRIGHTEST & BRAVEST OF THE NEXT GENERATION

The AntwerpXL 40 Under 40 campaign showcases the rising stars of the breakbulk and heavy lift industry. Our 40 Under 40 recognises both those with the greatest potential to become industry leaders in the future and those who have achieved greatness already. Our chosen 40 successful applicants will be celebrated at AntwerpXL itself with a special drinks reception held in their honour.

Class of 2022

Adam Tindall-Schlicht

Adam Tindall-schlicht

Administrator, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

"Empathy is being concerned about the human being, not just their output”

Adam was appointed Director of Port Milwaukee in 2018. In this role, he oversees and directs the port’s multimodal operations, which generate over US$100 million in local economic activity each year. In his tenure, he’s already massively increased the port’s overall tonnage and amount of cargo handled.

anna barska

MD, Pol-Agent Co. Ltd.

“Together we are strong”

Anna’s powerful managing style has been influential in developing all areas of Pol-Agent Co. Ltd., especially in project cargo. She leads big contracts and manages 85 people located across four different office spaces.

Andy Eyre

Managing Director, Norast Supply

Having previously studied with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Andy launched Norast Supply last year, with the aim of bringing digitalisation to the ship supply industry. He is passionate about the maritime industry and an advocate for bringing decarbonisation and sustainability onto the shipping agenda.

Asare Bediako

Assistant Director, Hillpong Ghana Limited

Benjamin Harraway

General Manager, Portico

As part of the senior management team and second in command, Ben has recently been promoted from Commercial Manager to General Manager at Portico. Based on the south coast of the UK Portico is Portsmouth's deep water cargo terminal handling cargoes from fresh produce, break bulk and project cargo. Ben is currently leading the company's masterplanning project to shape the direction of the business for the next 20 years.

Caroline Laurijsen

Transport Architect, Remant Africa & Project Logistics

“Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try”

Caroline is a hands-on breakbulk specialist, driving operations across the world, including in remote locations.

Denis Abramov

CEO, Transport Logistica East GmbH

“Successful logistics of heavy cargo is based on the competent connection of each link in the chain, taking care of every little detail in an ever-changing information flow”

Denis is logistics mentor working in heavy lift and OOG project logistics by road, sea and air. He now owns a company that handles dozens of large logistics projects every month.

Elvis Tuyishime

Managing Director, Levy trading Ltd

Jamila Tourabi

Senior Logistics Operator, Sumitomo Corporation Europe

"Where there's a will there's a way"

Jamila has expert technical knowledge and a passion for breakbulk. She contributes towards the company’s internal process improvements, gaining important technical knowledge around vessel chartering and carrier selection.

Jan Van Aerde

Owner, Independent Port Agencies BVBA

Jeroen Blanckaert

Commercial Manager, Katoen Natie Terminals/ Port Operations

Joris Ooms

Visualisation Manager, Mammoet

Justin Miller

VIP of Commercial Services, US Ocean LLC

“Old industry needs new blood and new ideas to thrive”

Justin is responsible for leading the pricing, chartering and business development initiatives for the largest US multipurpose vessel operator in the world. He’s been influential in the growth and diversification of US Ocean LLC’s fleet, business segments and client base.

Jason Christie

Operations Director, Into Africa Project Logistics

Katelijn de Paepe

Marine Surveyor, IMCS bv

Shore-based and marine surveyor since 2013, Katelijn is a dynamic force in the IMCS Antwerp team and known for her positive attitude and energy. She specialises in pre-load surveys and lashing & securing surveys in particular.

Klemen Butala

Commercial Director, COMARK, d.o.o.

Liesbeth Daenens

Chartering Manager, Belgo Iberian Maritime

Laura De Wel

Marine Surveyor, IMCS bv.

“Find something you are good at and then make it better”

After spending time at sea as a merchant marine deck officer, Laura quickly became one of Antwerp’s leading marine surveyors. She has also co-developed and managed several worldwide ship inspection programmes.

Mateusz Dziechciarz

Operations and Commercial Manager, POL-AGENT CO. Ltd.

“Success in breakbulk comes down to taking an individual approach to serving cargos – all are unique”

Mateusz confronts challenges with new, innovative ideas, looking to push the freight forwarding industry on. He now occupies a managerial position, and sees his ideas come to fruition.

Mark Hassan

Commercial Manager, GP Shipping Limited

Mark has been at the forefront of both port and ships agency commercial development and management for the last fifteen years across the UK, working largely with cargoes associated with the short-sea and offshore trades.

Mahesh Singh

MD, Trans Coral Shipping LLC

“Every individual is different – there is no one route to success”

Mahesh started his career as a Deck Cadet at the age of 20. Ever since, he’s worked his way up the ranks, from Operations Executive to Operations Manager, and now, he owns his own breakbulk company, with offices in Dubai, Sharjah and Mumbai.

watch career video

Murilo Caldana

Project Director and Shareholder, FOX Brasil Project Logistics

“Love it or leave it”

In eight years of work, Murilo transformed a medium-sized Brazilian freight forwarder into one of the market leaders, becoming president of the Heavy Lift Group in the process.

Watch Career Video

Nidheesh Kurumangalath

Sales and Business Development Lead, Khimji Ramdas Shipping LLC

Nidheesh is a Project Forwarding Specialist at Khimji Ramdas Shipping LLC with more than 10 years’ experience in projects cargo logistics and breakbulk transportation through sea/air and road carrier services.

Oliver de wit

Senior Project Freight Forwarder, Rulewave

Rulewave provide innovative and sustainable solutions with a personal touch. The Rulewave Group is a privately owned company with a great passion for your supply chain and (project) logistics.

Rahul Agrawal

Vice President - Projects, Express Global Logistics

Rahul has 14+ years' experience and is now with a 75+ years old EXG (Express Global Logistics Pvt Ltd), working with a determination to make EXG one of the largest project logistics power-house Globally. He bagged some of the major and critical projects and executed the same with all safety and precautions adhering to the local legal norms.

Randy Hillsman

Global Commercial Director, United Cargo Management

“Spend more of your time focusing on the opportunities of tomorrow, rather than the problems of yesterday”

Randy leverages expertise in industrial projects, energy logistics, and project execution to drive continuous revenue growth in a dynamic and competitive market.

Rasmus elsborg-jenson

CEO & Founder, ReFlow Maritime

“Maritime sustainability no more than a good intention if you don’t set quantifiable goals and have the ability to measure impacts”

Rasmus left the corporate world to pursue his passion to make the maritime industry more sustainable, launching his own start-up to provide digital tools for ship owners and suppliers to engage in circular maintenance.

watch career video

Scott Lang

Projects Manager, Armitt Group

Scott is adept at finding safe and economically efficient solutions to challenges when managing projects. He always stives to be better and always puts client needs first.

Divya Sreekumar

Marketing Manager
RAK Ports

A new venturer to the Ports Industry, Divya is business-focused, results-driven and entrepreneurial business executive with strong leadership and operations management experience across a broad range of industries. Spent over 10 years managing business management and marketing strategy across corporate environments from medical industries to law firms.

Shailendra Singh Chauhan

Chartering Manager, Multimax Shipping

Steven Schutter

Senior Supply Chain Specialist, Globis Software NV

Steven previously worked for NxtPort, building their “Bulkchain” over the last few years, a collaborative, innovative platform designed to digitalise the communication between breakbulk terminals, forwarders and ship agent communities.

Shreyas Vyas

Vice President, Total Movements Pvt Ltd

Having worked on a large variety of local & global projects, Shreyas has been exposed to different business aspects & diverse teams. Currently, he is part of the core management team at Total Movements PL, a leading Indian Project Forwarder.

Tia Meyvis

Head of Business Intelligence & Analytics, Ahlers

“Dream big, work hard, stay focused & surround yourself with good people.”

Tia excels at Ahlers and is the Chairman of Young Forwarders Belgium, where her personality is inspiring the next generation to get to the top in the industry.

Tycho Van Peteghem

Engineering and Procurement, Container Technics

“Keep an open mind and never settle”

Tycho is passionate about improving the breakbulk industry through technical innovations. He recently developed highly flexible lifting beams unique to the industry, as well as systems to improve the cargo intake for windmill blades.

Valentin Carlan

Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Antwerp

“Spell out any idea you have, it might lead to solving a problem that many have”

Valentin is an innovative thinker. In particular, he’s done some brilliant research in the field of transport and logistics, working to bring solutions to society at large.

watch career video

Wouter Gielen

Project Manager, Deugro

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28-30 November 2023 Antwerp expo Belgium

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more opportunities:

XL Trend Report

Who we are

ASSOCIATIONS

Useful information

XL anchor

Discover AntwerpXL

Getting here

What's on ?

Become an exhibitor

Already exhibiting?

more opportunities:

XL Trend Report

Who we are

ASSOCIATIONS

Useful information

XL anchor

Discover AntwerpXL

Getting here

What's on ?

conference

Businessrun

PPG training day

PORT TOUR

RECRUITMENT DAY

Don't miss out

Discover AntwerpXL

Getting here

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conference

40 under 40

Businessrun

PPG training day

PORT TOUR

RECRUITMENT DAY

Discover AntwerpXL

Getting here

What's on ?

Become an exhibitor

Already exhibiting?

more opportunities:

Innovation Gallery

XL Trend Report

SPOTLIGHTING THE BEST, BRIGHTEST & BRAVEST OF THE NEXT GENERATION

Class of 2022

Adam Tindall-Schlicht

Adam Tindall-schlicht

anna barska

anna barska

Andy Eyre

Andy Eyre

Asare Bediako

Asare Bediako

Benjamin Harraway

Benjamin Harraway

Caroline Laurijsen

Caroline Laurijsen

Denis Abramov

Denis Abramov

Elvis Tuyishime

Elvis Tuyishime

Jamila Tourabi

Jamila Tourabi

Jan Van Aerde

Jan Van Aerde

Jeroen Blanckaert

Jeroen Blanckaert

Joris Ooms

Joris Ooms

28-30 November 2023
Antwerp expo
Belgium