‘We owe it to our city and position to achieve real results.’
Reading time: 6 minutes
He once stood at the helm of the popular Rotterdam discotheque Off-Corso. He now puts the Rotterdam Makers District on the map as the innovation centre of the port of Rotterdam. Rotterdam tastemaker Jouke Goslinga, RDM & M4H Program Manager. ‘Great things happen on the Maasvlakte, but it’s a long-distance swim. This port area has the chance to give the new innovative port a face.’
RDM (the Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij’s historic shipyard) and M4H (Merwe-Vierhavens) are part of the city of Rotterdam and combined, form the Rotterdam Makers District. Here, the municipality of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam Authority collaborate on the development of a new innovation environment. Jouke has been working on the area for the Port of Rotterdam Authority for the past 12 years. ‘Fifteen years ago, there was no RDM, no SmartPort, no iTanks. And look at it now,’ he says proudly. ‘The development of this area makes Rotterdam a port city again. This is a unique calling card. The port doesn’t stop at this spot, but it turns into a new combination of a city port area and one that’s sustainable.’ He continues, ‘This inspires young people to work here in the port. You can really contribute to crucial transition issues here.’
In recent years, Jouke was tasked with ensuring ‘that it made commercial sense.’ And that for someone who, as a child, had no idea what he wanted to do when he grew up, ‘Above all, I knew what I didn’t want to be.’ He summarises, ‘Not economics, biology or law. And certainly not something medical, seeing as both my parents were doctors. So that was stupid.’ He chose engineering in Delft. After his studies, he landed in the corporate world and by the late ‘90s he was tired of it. He exchanged the capital for Rotterdam and ended up at the popular discotheque Off-Corso. ‘That was a refreshing culture shock. I was used to tidy meetings with agendas and minutes. At Off-Corso, pets wandered around, and everyone simply answered their phones whenever.’ It was an amazing time, ‘I have an appreciation for people who truly make something. People who dare to show their vulnerabilities.’
‘The development of this area makes Rotterdam a port city again. This is a unique calling card. The port doesn’t stop at this spot, but it turns into a new combination of a city port area and one that’s sustainable.’
The port is sexy and innovative too
Jouke had a great time at the club. In 2005, he already mentioned in an interview, ‘I have an appreciation for people who truly make something. People who dare to show their vulnerabilities.’ That became the common thread in his career. At his current workplace in the RDM area, there are numerous startups that really make something. He mentions Tethrahedon, a company that started with two people and is now 10 strong. The company is building a crane measuring more than 100 metres that will ensure that the current offshore fleet can install the latest generation of windmills. And X-laboratory, that according to Jouke is setting up pure science fiction in offshore wind through robotisation. Also, RAMLAB, the 3D printer of propellers. And Captain AI: that enables a vessel and a management system to learn from each other. ‘And Zepp Solutions, a company working in the field of hydrogen. I want even more of these types of companies.’ Which is his favourite? ‘All our “children” are precious of course. But the best thing is, we are making improvements in terms of quality. Ten years ago, we were happy if a company doing something with technology wanted to be at RDM. Our focus now is more on the port’s innovation priorities.’ He explains, ‘The port is now highly focused on two pillars: the energy transition and the raw materials transition. And digitalisation is interwoven through that. We must ensure that the startups here are tomorrow’s winners in these areas.’ He mentions the importance of collaboration, ‘You want education to collaborate, on all levels. And that companies arise. Those companies will be commissioned from the port. That is a unique proposition. With that, we can be always ahead of other cities. If we ensure that we take those innovations to the local ecosystem. Then you show them that the port is sexy and innovative too.’
Passing on a more sustainable port
As a ‘massive team player’, Jouke gets energy from people growing. ‘I really like people with drive. And I also really under promise, over deliver.’ That’s why he thinks Rotterdam is so cool, ‘Because it is so real and raw. Because Rotterdam has to work incredibly hard. And has to work harder for certain successes. So that we can ensure that we pass on a more sustainable port.’ He wants to inspire people in the 15-40 age category. ‘The port is traditionally conservative and closed. I want to create an open cluster. We owe it to our city and position to achieve real results.’ He sees a shift at the port, ‘It’s not just about quantity but about quality, in fact. We are more committed to sustainability. And social value has become important. The story, image and the collaboration with education and talent is probably worth more than rent. As the port of Rotterdam, we must add more value. There are opportunities for the manufacturing industry here.’
Head in the port clouds
Does Jouke have a favourite spot at RDM or in M4H? ‘The loft above the Innovation Dock is a magical place. From there, you have a view over the dock port and inside, you have the industrial ceiling: a true legacy from the old machine building. And it is one storey above the production floor. With a bit of imagination, your head is in the port clouds.’ Jouke also says that the Onderzeebootloods with glass wall is ‘amazing’. ‘And of course the padel court at the quay. RDM has a padel court? ‘Duh. The best in the world.’
Jouke sees enough challenges for ‘his’ area, ‘The innovation ecosystem in Rotterdam must become simpler and everything must reinforce the other. Many things have arisen in the past 15 years. That’s fantastic, but now we have to scrutinise them with a critical eye. He believes that expertise should be clustered. ‘Crucial links should be much closer together. And of course, that should be at RDM. Jouke is looking to strengthen parties. ‘You want to create so much energy and cross-pollination here that it becomes a must for companies to settle here.’ Jouke also has a goal, ‘This really must become the calling card of the new, sustainable port. And I want to challenge and invite people to build on that with us.’
MAKING WAVES
In this series, you'll hear from people who are committed to a smart and sustainable port of Rotterdam, and our planet as a whole. Let them inspire you and help make that a reality.
