The Port of Antwerp-Bruges’s largest terminal operator MPET, a joint venture between PSA and Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), announced today that it has appointed a new CEO. Johan Van Daele, the former General Manager of Mersin International Port (MIP) in Turkey, will replace Harold Kunst, who parted ways with MPET in early February 2023.

Van Daele, who has more than 30 years of experience with managing ports and terminal operators, has been with MIP since 2017 where he led a number of important development projects. This includes launching the second Mersin Port Expansion Project (EMH2) in 2021 that when completed in 2023, will increase the port’s handling capacity from 2.6 to 3.6 million twenty foot containers or TEUs. Van Daele started his career with the Antwerp Breakbulk terminal Noord Natie in 1989, before it became part of PSA in 2002. He has also held managing positions at PSA Antwerp and PSA Zeebrugge.

“I am looking forward to working with the MPET team to address important challenges in the coming years such as enlarging the terminal as part of the Port of Antwerp’s container capacity expansion project (ECA) and greenifying its operations. At the same time, I would like to thank my friends and colleagues at MIP for their dedication during my six years in Turkey,” says Johan Van Daele.