Page 27: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2017)

the world. The term ‘dredging up’ some- the public about the industry and the Figures, but we had to stop publishing

The world of dredging is an ever thing can have a negative connotation; good that we do. ? gures on the closed markets because changing and endlessly fascinat- in a lot of languages terminology around we are not able to verify the ? gures. The ing niche of the global marine

Dredging “By the Numbers”: dredging can have a negative connota- closed markets are chie? y the United industry, an indispensable ac- tion, and I think it is important to inform We publish a publication, Dredging in States and China. IADC is aiming for tivity essential to keeping world commerce ? owing. For insight on recent trends we visited last month with René Kolman, Secre- tary General, International As- sociation of Dredging Companies (IADC), for his take on a world of dredging challenges and opportu- nities.

By Greg Trauthwein

ECAP propeller by MMG

In true Dutch fashion René Kolman is refreshingly forthright. Kolman assumed the mantle of leadership at IADC more than seven years ago, coming to the post from the landscape and garden trade as-

MARITIME ACADEMY sociation business. But his roots are in maritime, having spent 18 months after

CREATING PERSPECTIVES high school in nautical school, and he

DNV GL’s Maritime Academy is a leading global training provider in the maritime industry. With over 150 saw the opportunity to lead the IADC as

GLiHUHQWFRXUVHVZHKDYHRQHRIWKHEURDGHVWSRUWIROLRVLQWKHLQGXVWU\DQGPRUHWKDQWUDLQHUVDUH a homecoming of sorts.

GHGLFDWHGWRVKDULQJWKHLUNQRZOHGJH,QZKLFKDUHDZRXOG\RXOLNHWRLPSURYH\RXUFRPSHWHQFLHV" “When I came in, I didn’t have any short or long term objectives, as I just Learn more at www.dnvgl.us/maritime-academy started working in the dredging industry,

Learn more at so it was a big learning curve,” Kolman said. He relished the challenge to work

SAFER, SMARTER, GREENER in this unique maritime niche, which is a relatively small and tight-knit, yet ? erce- ly competitive community dominated by some very large corporate entities. “Working with contractors in general it is a very special dynamic: they cut each other’s throat in competition, but never completely; because tomorrow they have to work together and will likely be friendly. You should be able to walk on eggs, being diplomatic yet competitive.”

Since starting in 2008 and becoming

Secretary General in 2010, Kolman is most proud of broadening the activities of the IADC over the last few years to better serve his constituents, crediting a new and diverse website but more im- portantly his colleagues and coworkers, who are independent and hard-working.

There is a Latin phrase for it, I am a “Pri- mus inter pares” meaning ? rst among equals.

The Importance of IADC today:

I think most importantly, we are seen as a trusted source of independent, neu- tral information for the world. We are working for the dredging industry, but we are independent and neutral. Anoth- er thing: with all of the information on our website, and all of the information we publish, it helps to communicate the importance of the dredging industry to www.marinelink.com 27

MR #6 (26-33).indd 27 MR #6 (26-33).indd 27 6/9/2017 9:13:29 AM6/9/2017 9:13:29 AM