Boudewijn Siemons and Markus Bangen, CEOs of the ports of Rotterdam and Duisburg, have been awarded the prestigious Brost-Ruhr Award 2025.

The laudatory speech was delivered by Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal and European Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia. The German Brost-Foundation presents this annual award to individuals and organisations that make an exceptional contribution to the Ruhr region. Siemons and Bangen received the award for their contribution to strengthening economic ties between the Netherlands and the Ruhr region.

The jury explained its decision as follows: “Duisburg, the world’s largest inland port, and Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport, together form the backbone of European shipping and play a key role in the energy transition.”

(Boudewijn Siemons on the right in the photo)