On November 5 — 8, 2019 12 cadets-winners of National University «Odessa Maritime Academy» and its subdivisions of the Boris Kolesnikov Foundation’s Maritime Affairs 2019 Competition visited the International Industrial Forum Europort 2019 in Rotterdam.

Four busy days in the Netherlands provided young seafarers with an opportunity to immerse themselves in a professional atmosphere, learn best practices, get practical training and learn about the latest developments and trends in the global maritime industry. Ukrainian students visited the port of Rotterdam – the world’s largest hub of shipping lines, visited the terminals and industrial area, districts Eemhaven, Botlek, Europort and the bulk areas of Maasvlakte and Maasvlakte-2. The cadets saw the loading and unloading of cargo containers, the work of automatic equipment, the panoramic view of the whole port, the arrival of ships in real time, and also met with the staff of EMO – the largest cargo terminal in Europe.

The winners of the Maritime Affairs 2019 Competition jointly with the President of the Fund, Boris Kolesnikov, became guests of Europort 2019 International Industrial Forum, a leading meeting point for shipowners, fishing companies and representatives of major ports. More than 1,100 exhibitors from 45 countries participated in the exhibition; The forum was attended by 30,000 people, and for the first time there was a group of talented and promising cadets from Ukraine. They interacted with senior colleagues who shared their experience in creating an economical space for shipbuilding, talked about new technologies, expressed innovative ideas in engineering, supplying equipment and fleet re-equipment.

The Foundation organized excursions for young sailors with visits to the main attractions of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. They were especially struck by historical objects with a maritime theme – the Museum Harbor with old barges, steam tugs and port equipment from the mid-19th and early 20th centuries; embankment of the Meuse River with a monument to 3,500 heroes and sailors of the Netherlands merchant fleet who died during World War II; The old harbor of the 17th century.