VB Vincent van Berkel Logistics & Operations Strategy

Logistics & Operations Leader

20+ years delivering complex, high-risk and high-value cargo worldwide. Maritime operations, defense logistics, and stowage optimization with on-site execution and measurable results.

View experience Contact Download CV Follow on LinkedIn

Professional Summary

Seasoned Logistics & Operations Strategist with a track record across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Trusted to move nuclear components, guided rockets, armored vehicles and other high-value cargo with strict compliance and security. Combines field leadership with analytical planning to deliver safe, cost-efficient results under pressure. Open to relocation.

Experience

Independent Logistics Consultant / Project Planner

Venix Logix B.V. — Rotterdam

2024 – Present
  • Delivered readiness assessments and route-risk matrices for time-critical defense cargo across the EU.
  • Prototyped stowage/allocation calculators and SOPs that cut planning time for smaller operators.
  • Led feasibility & compliance reviews (IMDG, customs, port restrictions) for new trade lanes.
  • Advised on terminal selection & quay constraints, improving schedule reliability.

Mainliner Stowage Planner

Evergreen Line, European Operations Center — Rotterdam

2021 – 2024
  • Engineered fleet-wide templates, raising average utilization ~20% while staying within trim/draft safety margins.
  • Coordinated with terminals and bridge teams to reduce rehandles and idle time on high-volume calls.
  • Ran OOG/DG desks with strict IMDG and terminal rule adherence; maintained a zero-incident record.
  • Managed EU rotations end-to-end: ballast plans, GM targets, river draft windows and bunkering constraints.
  • Introduced post-voyage reviews to capture mis-stows and improve sister-vessel consistency.

Coordinator Port & Terminal Operations

Hapag-Lloyd AG — Rotterdam

2020 – 2021
  • Orchestrated quay operations across multiple windows, improving turnaround and berth utilization.
  • Owned manifest/EDI integrity and customs escalations, preventing holds and penalties.
  • Built a berth plan for feeder rotations, aligning pilots, tugs, and crane allocation.
  • Produced ops cost snapshots per call to tighten visibility on overtime, moves, and add-ons.
  • On-site escalation for exceptions: late gates, DG holds, reefers, and yard congestion.

Cargo Execution Specialist (NEULOC 24/7)

A.P. Moller–Maersk — Rotterdam

2017 – 2018
  • Coordinated regional flow across Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Felixstowe, Rotterdam and 60+ feeder terminals.
  • Issued pre-arrival cut-sheets; reconciled post-sailing variances with terminals to keep data clean.
  • Triggered routing swaps and terminal shifts based on stock readiness and berth pressure.
  • Provided early-warning briefs on risk, cost, and performance to central planning.

Project Coordinator / Strategic Transport Planner

Venix Logix B.V. — Rotterdam

2018 – 2020
  • Led strategic transport planning for high-value and classified shipments across Europe.
  • Managed Government-to-Government tenders end-to-end, negotiating defense contracts.
  • Directed last-mile delivery for Ministry of Defense consignments under strict protocols and timelines.
  • Built frameworks with customs, port police, and terminal security to keep movements frictionless.

Founder & Strategic Transport Specialist

Hybrid Logistics “Netherlands” — Rotterdam

2014 – 2017
  • Ran niche military/government transports including IMO Class 1.1–4 and sensitive equipment.
  • Deployed armed escorts, controlled access, route discipline; flawless safety record.
  • Built an international partner network capable of short-notice deployments and complex clearances.

Logistics Operator

Venix Logix B.V. — Rotterdam

2007 – 2017
  • Managed multimodal flows end-to-end (air/sea/road/rail) with airtight documentation.
  • Coordinated airfreight via AMS/BRU/DUS/MST/RTM, including IMO handling and inspections.
  • Maintained an EU vendor bench for FCL/LCL/OOG/express, negotiating rates and SLAs.

Key Projects & Achievements

Transported 4,000 missiles from Belgium to Asia; coordination with Belgian & Malaysian Defense Ministries.

Special Forces equipment transfers to active conflict zones (zero safety breaches).

Managed radioactive cargo and reactor components for a Belgian nuclear project (IMO Class 7).

Coordinated a U.S. Department of Energy humanitarian shipment of X-ray equipment to Antwerp.

Identified and helped remediate a critical logistics software security vulnerability.

Skills

Strategic Logistics Defense Transport Stowage Planning Multimodal Operations Risk Mitigation Customs Compliance Stakeholder Engagement High-Risk Cargo Process Optimization Data Analysis (Excel/Power BI) Windows/Linux

Download CV

Download the latest resume for sharing with hiring managers and recruiters.

Download PDF

Get in touch

For leadership roles in logistics strategy, transport transformation or defense supply chains.

Email me directly

Submitting opens your email client with a pre-filled message.