Erwin Verstraelen

Port of Antwerp Bruges

Chief Digital and Innovation Officer

In November 2017, Erwin Verstraelen became Chief Digital and innovation officer of the Port of Antwerp, a new position in the executive committee. It was a clear indication of the strategic focus the port wants to give to digitalization. Based on previous roles in other companies, he has a strong background in strategic IT thinking and in depth transformation of an organization driven by Information technology. His current team at the port of Antwerp drives the injection of new and existing IT capabilities to enable the realization of the five strategic goals. Furthermore, the port has to become an innovation platform to enable partners and stakeholders towards joint initiatives that enable the local ecosystem. What characterizes Erwin can be summarized by the following self-made quote: In life there are problems, challenges and opportunities. That’s actually three times the same thing, only the mindset is different.

Sessions With Erwin Verstraelen

Wednesday, 1 November

  • 11:45am - 12:30pm (GST) / 01/nov/2023 07:45 am - 01/nov/2023 08:30 am

    Digital Twin Projects in Ports and Port Cities
    By establishing digital twin projects, ports and their cities can improve their resilience against crises or shocks and co-develop port and industrial activities alongside urban development that satisfies the needs of growing cities and megacities. In this session delegates will be shown practical examples from member ports on how digital twins are created and how technologies such as artificial intelligence can be used to plan better.
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