Port of Rotterdam Partners with Sea Ranger Service to Train Young Mariners and Advance Port Sustainability

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has entered a three-year partnership with the Sea Ranger Service to give young people hands-on maritime experience while supporting sustainability projects such as mapping plastic waste in the port.

Rotterdam’s New Collaboration Bridges Youth Training and Sustainability

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has signed a three-year collaboration agreement with the Sea Ranger Service, marking a major step toward combining maritime youth employment with environmental stewardship.

The agreement was formalised by Harbour Master René de Vries and Wietse van der Werf, Founder and CEO of the Sea Ranger Service, at the Port of Rotterdam. The initiative aims to give young people practical maritime experience while advancing the port’s sustainability agenda.

First Project: Tackling Plastic Waste in the Port

Under the partnership, the first joint project will focus on mapping plastic waste within the port area. The Sea Ranger Service will deploy trained young professionals to collect data and support cleanup efforts as part of a wider mission to enhance marine and port ecosystem health.

This pilot project underscores the shared commitment of both organisations to create a cleaner and more resilient maritime environment, while helping the next generation of seafarers develop technical and environmental expertise.

Empowering the Next Generation of Mariners

Founded in 2016, the Sea Ranger Service trains and employs young people aged 18 to 29 from coastal communities, offering offshore and nearshore services for governments and private partners focused on marine conservation and restoration.

Over 200 individuals have participated in the programme since its inception, with around half securing long-term maritime careers in shipping, logistics, and environmental monitoring. The organisation serves as a bridge between ocean conservation and maritime employment, helping young people transition into sustainable blue-economy roles.

Aligned Missions: Sustainability and Opportunity

Harbour Master René de Vries emphasized the natural synergy between the two organisations’ missions:

“The mission and message of the Sea Ranger Service are completely aligned with the purpose of the Port of Rotterdam Authority: Connecting the world. Building tomorrow’s sustainable port.
In addition, it’s fantastic to help young people learn more about working in the port of Rotterdam and in nautical services.”

His statement highlights how the partnership complements the Port of Rotterdam’s broader vision to be Europe’s most sustainable and digitally advanced port, integrating social responsibility with environmental performance.

Creating Impact Through Work Experience

Wietse van der Werf, founder and CEO of the Sea Ranger Service, welcomed the partnership as a unique opportunity for youth engagement and environmental impact:

“This unique collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam Authority offers young people the opportunity to discover the Port of Rotterdam up close and to take their first steps towards a maritime career.
As full-time Sea Rangers, they will also do work that will contribute towards a more sustainable port. Gaining work experience while also creating an impact on the future: that’s a real win-win.”

Through this collaboration, young Sea Rangers will gain first-hand experience in maritime operations, port logistics, and environmental protection — practical skills that can launch careers in marine engineering, port management, or sustainability operations.

Driving a More Sustainable Port Future

The Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport, has set an ambitious roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Initiatives like the Sea Ranger collaboration reflect a growing emphasis on inclusive sustainability — one that not only reduces the port’s environmental footprint but also builds the human capital needed to drive future innovation.

By engaging youth in sustainability initiatives, the Port Authority reinforces its position as a global leader in green port operations and maritime education, helping shape the next generation of environmentally conscious maritime professionals.
The partnership between the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Sea Ranger Service is more than an employment programme — it’s a model for how ports can combine climate action, youth empowerment, and maritime innovation.