NxtPort appoints new CTO Hans Verbeeck (ex-Microsoft)

Data utility platform NxtPort is teaming up with Hans Verbeeck as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He will allocate his 15 years of experience at Microsoft, particularly in cloud technologies, to make the different players in the port of Antwerp collaborative more effectively. “By fuelling a culture of data sharing and by enabling the technological platform to do so, the Port of Antwerp will become even more dynamic in the future.

The Port of Antwerp community launched the unique digital platform NxtPort early 2017. By sharing the enormous amounts of data they all possess in one virtual warehouse, they aim to make the Port of Antwerp work more effectively. If all the links in the logistics chain share and exchange data, both the security and the mobility in and around the port will increase considerably. Data utility platform NxtPort will literally turn the Port of Antwerp into the ‘next port’, a world-class incubator for innovations in technology and logistics.

In March, Daniel Lievens already joined NxtPort as CEO. From 1 June on, Hans Verbeeck will reinforce NxtPort as brand new Chief Technology Officer. Hans Verbeeck started his career in IT as a developer, and worked for Microsoft the past 15 years in various national and international functions. He helped to develop new technologies, and workded side by side with early adopters and with the developer community to launch and adopt new releases. The past few years, Hans Verbeeck focused mainly on the burgeoning opportunities of cloud technologies.

Hans Verbeeck - CTO NxtPort: “I have witnessed first hand how cloud technologies have the potential to transform entire sectors, such as logistics. If we manage to make data flow faster and faster between more and more different parties, the Port of Antwerp can work in a more effective way. Off course, technology will play a vital role in this data sharing, but I also want to work on a culture of openness and trust that fosters this development. If the existing players collaborate more closely, the Port of Antwerp will be the beating heart of not only the city of Antwerp, but the entire region."

Daniel Lievens - CEO NxtPort: “NxtPort is fully on-stream now, the appointment of Hans Verbeeck allows us to move up a gear. He does not just inject NxtPort with a wealth of technological experience, he has also shown an openness to share knowledge and an eagerness to provide new insights. We were looking for a pioneer, as well as a bridge builder, and Hans fits the profile. With our reinforced team, NxtPort will continue to build at the future of the port of Antwerp. Shoulder to shoulder with the entire port community.”