AYOP Gets New Director

Sylvia Boer has been appointed as the new director of Amsterdam IJmuiden Offshore Ports (AYOP) and will take up her role on 1 February 2020.

She will serve as the linchpin between members of the association for offshore companies, government bodies, and stakeholders. Boer’s appointment is designed to leverage on the major opportunities AYOP sees for offshore wind and oil & gas in the Amsterdam and IJmuiden region.

Boer has been working for Damen Shipyards Group over the past eight years, the last three of which as head of communications. Prior to this she spent five years as export manager and policy employee with trade association Scheepsbouw Nederland (now Netherlands Martine Technology). She is also chair of WISTA Nederland, the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association, focused on strengthening the connection between women in the maritime industry and boosting their knowledge and networks.

“Sylvia’s experience will contribute to the further professionalisation of AYOP,” said AYOP chair Ron Davio.

“Our association now has 80 members and is expanding rapidly. In addition, we are seeing a significant acceleration in offshore wind activities in the region, partly due to the establishment of the Hollandse Kust wind farms. These developments demand intensive cooperation with government bodies, members and stakeholders, and Sylvia will be responsible for all AYOP’s associated activities.”

Amsterdam IJmuiden Offshore Ports is an association of companies and government bodies in the North Sea Canal region focused on the offshore extraction of gas & oil and wind energy. One of its tasks is to promote the region nationally and internationally as the business region for wind power. The organisation has a strong focus on offshore wind maintenance (including cable logistics), drilling projects for gas exploration, adjustments and maintenance of work vessels and platforms, and the disassembly of offshore constructions and vessels.

“I am very much looking forward to the challenge of further developing the Amsterdam IJmuiden offshore energy ecosystem with our members, local authorities and other parties,” said Boer.

“The goal is to attract new companies and cargo flows, tap into new innovation funds and attract more people to the sector. The time has come to give this region an even more prominent place on the map.”