Annual Report 2021

2021, a year of looking ahead although the world and our industry keep facing challenges due to Covid-19. Also a year where IRO reached its 50th anniversary, a milestone we are very proud of! Our members have faced many challenging situations and always found a way to rise the challenge. Again, we have managed to remain (virtually) visible and thus maintain and strengthen the IRO network. By September we were fortunate to organise some physical member meetings and we could participate in several (international) exhibitions. In this overview you can see all the highlights!

Annual Report 2021

2021, a year of looking ahead although the world and our industry keep facing challenges due to Covid-19. Also a year where IRO reached its 50th anniversary, a milestone we are very proud of! Our members have faced many challenging situations and always found a way to rise the challenge. Again, we have managed to remain (virtually) visible and thus maintain and strengthen the IRO network. By September we were fortunate to organise some physical member meetings and we could participate in several (international) exhibitions. In this overview you can see all the highlights!

Facts & Figures

New members

20

Events

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3

Online events

webinars

19

Training courses

MDS_The Offshore Experience

9

Exhibitions

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4

Timeline 2021

  • Visual-Webinar-IRO 20210128 klein

    Review IRO webinar: Threat landscape offshore sector Netherlands. An informative & dynamic story!

    During this webinar on Thursday, January 28, Ronald Prins and security expert Joost Bijl discussed the digital threats and advanced attacks, such as targeted ransomware and espionage. They provided insight into how the attackers who…

    Jan

  • Feb

    foto voor uitnodiging

    Looking back at IRO webinar: Sustaining operations in a COVID-world and beyond, Thursday 4 February

    In collaboration with IRO member International SOS we organised a webinar about ‘Sustaining operations in a COVID-world and beyond’ on Thursday 4 February. COVID-19 has also affected…

  • Foto IRO – DMEC 11 March

    Looking back on IRO webinar: The potential of Marine Energy, 11 March

    This year’s annual CEDA-IRO meeting was all about ‘The potential of Marine Energy’  IRO partner Dutch Marine Energy Centre (DMEC) took the participants into the world of marine energy and the possibilities…

    Mar

  • Mar

    RPPC_Uitnodiging_IRO

    Online speed dating with the members of…

    It is clear that in this digital age the need is perhaps even greater than ever to establish and maintain contacts, to share knowledge or simply to have a nice chat about the exciting industry…

  • Digital transformation, Concept of digitization of business processes and modern technology.

    Looking back at webinar series Digital Transformation

    In May and June we organised a series of three webinars on Digital Transformation in cooperation with IRO members FourICT, Etteplan, MO4 and with…

    Jun

  • Aug

    OTC landensessie

    OTC Around The World – The Netherlands 2021

    “Embracing the energy transition – The Dutch approach” The Netherlands is taking part in a global effort to develop a low CO2 energy economy that is safe, reliable and affordable. We are currently dependent on…

  • vaartocht

    Successful sailing trip in the port of Rotterdam

    A great meeting today, between the members of IRO and those of the Offshore Community Rotterdam (RPPC). Of course, such a trip through the port of Rotterdam is always impressive .. but today it was…

    Sep

  • Oct

    ROG LOL 2

    Full house at member meeting ROG

    After more than one year, we were finally able to organise a physical IRO Members Meet Members meeting at IRO member Rotterdam Offshore & ROG Ship Repair in Rotterdam. All eighty participants enjoyed the meeting…

  • adipec

    Networking on the exhibition floor

    Fortunately, as from October we were able to meet again physically during a number of exhibitions. What a relief! We were present at Offshore Energy in Amsterdam with the IRO booth, followed by Europort in…

    Oct

  • Nov

    IMG-20211102-WA0012

    IRO Chairman Pieter van Oord: important task for IRO members to work on a future proof sector

    Full house on Tuesday 2 November during the fortunately physical IRO Annual General Meeting at Van Oord in Rotterdam! The year 2021 will once again be remembered as a year with many challenges for the IRO…

  • faf7b67b-b63f-4755-b99b-5653cd50cbd8

    IRO 50 years: Book ‘Won from the Waves’ officially launched!

    On the occasion of IRO’s 50th anniversary maritime historians Joke Korteweg and Frits Loomeijer wrote the anniversary book about 50 years of Dutch Offshore, entitled (Dutch and English): Wagen en Winnen De Nederlandse offshore-industrie…

    Nov

  • Dec

    online cafe 15 dec

    Online Offshore Café

    On Friday December 15, we were able to make no fewer than 379 matches during speed dating in the largest Online Offshore Café in the Netherlands! A good opportunity to end the year in a…

  • IRO 50 years

    IRO anniversary – new date 

    We were all looking forward to IRO’s 50th Anniversary on 26 November, but unfortunately we had to postpone the event last minute. We have planned a new date, keep your agenda’s free on Thursday 23 June 2022 for a fantastic party at the Fokker Terminal in The Hague. More information will follow in due course via mailings and social media.

    Interview with IRO Chairman Pieter van Oord en IRO Managing Director Sander Vergroesen

    In an interview for the magazine Ocean Energy Resources both gentlemen gave their views on the energy transition and the position of IRO members in this. Energy is something we still need, but the way we produce it is changing fundamentally. The offshore energy sector is in a state of flux, and the Dutch supply chain is on the cusp of an extremely exciting future. IRO chairman Pieter van Oord confirmed optimistically that ‘the future is bright’. Download the full article here and have a look at the special  anniversary edition of Ocean Energy Resources.

    Interview with Young IRO on 50 years IRO

    Young IRO established in 2017, with the main goal to make the offshore industry future proof, rethinking the conventional and empowering the young generation. After 4 years we can no longer ignore Young IRO. In an interview they give their view on the sector then, now and especially the future.

    Podcast ‘Get on Board’ – IRO 50 years with Sander Vergroesen and Frits Loomeijer

    The eighth, and last, podcast episode of the ‘Get on Board’ series is dedicated to 50 years of IRO. IRO Managing Director Sander Vergroesen and Frits Loomeijer (author of the IRO anniversary book) provide an insight into the history of IRO and look ahead to the next 50 years. Listen to the podcast here. Or look up our podcast under ‘Get on Board IRO podcast’ on Spotify!

    Launch book ‘Wagen en Winnen’

    On the occasion of IRO’s fiftieth anniversary, a book has been published: ‘Wagen en winnen’ of in English: ‘Won from the Waves. The Dutch offshore industry, a pioneer in the energy transition’. IRO members have received a copy and can order additional books here

    IRO & corporate responsibility

    IRO members shape the energy transition using subsidy from Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate

    Three consortia of maritime companies and knowledge institutions have received a total of 52.9 million from the RDM subsidy scheme of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. The scheme is intended to counteract declining investment in R&D in the maritime, automotive and aviation sectors. Through maritime R&D projects, smart knowledge and technology is being developed in the Netherlands to make shipping more sustainable. The awarding of the grant is an important first step towards realising the Maritime Master plan, a plan to become a global leader in the construction and use of smart, clean and safe ships. By 2030, the sector wants to have 50 zero-emission ships in service. Many IRO members are involved in these projects to shape the energy transition. Read more here.

    Launch IRO Sustainability Community

    IRO is happy to support its members in their efforts to contribute to a more sustainable future. Not only in the field of energy transition, but also with circular production, sustainable design & engineering and in general making all our human activities planet-proof. That is why we established the IRO Sustainability Committee in April 2021. Your contribution is essential to the success of this community. Read more about what to expect here and head over to the Linkedin community page to join.

    Launch Wind & Water Works portal

    On 15 June, Global Wind Day, the Dutch wind industry and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) have joined forces to launch the website Wind & Water Works. Managed by the Netherlands Wind Energy Association on behalf of the Government and a coalition of Dutch wind energy and trade associations, wind & water works is a one-stop offshore wind information portal for international stakeholders. Featuring latest offshore wind news, project showcases, and vital business links, the website aims to share Dutch expertise and is packed with information to help other countries successfully develop their offshore wind markets. IRO is partner of Wind & Water Works.

    IRO across the border

    Export promotion

    Export promotion is one of the key areas of interest of IRO and working closely together with different stakeholders is vital. IRO cooperated with embassies around the globe to participate in virtual fairs, among others in Brazil, Suriname, UAE and Russia, Mexico and Malaysia. There has also been regular contact with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the US. Our embassies in those countries played an important role again in 2021.

    In August, IRO contributed to OTC Around the World through country sessions online. Fortunately, from September we were able to organise a physical Holland pavilion again during ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi and WindEurope Electric City in Copenhagen. We were also present at Offshore Energy in Amsterdam and Europort in Rotterdam. We are looking forward, to present our wonderful members in the Netherlands Pavilions around the globe in 2022.

    IRO & the public eye

    New members in the spotlight

    In a short interview new IRO members are put in the spotlight with questions such as ‘What do you excel at?’, ‘What convinced you to become a member?’, ‘What do you have to offer the other members?’. Read their interiews here:

    Podcast series Get on Board

    In the 8-part podcast series ‘Get on Board’, IRO board members talk to Young IRO board members led by moderator and IRO board member Charlotte Roodenburg. On the basis of critical questions and stimulating statements, we gain insight into the vision of the board members on the offshore energy industry now and in the future. Listen to them all here.

    Interviews by IRO

    Several interviews or input for articles were provided in national and international media over the year, in which the constructive role of Dutch suppliers in the global (Offshore) energy transition forms a common thread. Topics ranged from overviews of the Dutch offshore oil, gas, offshore renewable and marine energy industry to the innovative mentality of the Dutch suppliers’ industry and the strength of networking in the industry.

    Together towards an optimal energy mix – HSELife World Magazine
    In an interview with HSE Life World Magazine, Tjerk Suurenbroek, IRO’s Business Development Manager IRO, spoke about the steps that have already been taken with regard to the energy transition and what the ambition is for the coming period. Read more below.

    Connect and stay visible!

    Especially in this uncertain time connecting and staying visible is so very important! We do our best to continue to fulfill our connecting role for IRO members. A number of resources are available on our website (company profile, press releases, Linkedin) in order to profile your company properly and to remain visible. Take advantage of this and share your news with us at info@iro.nl.If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, please reach out, we are happy to help!

    IRO Linkedin company page reaches more than 3000 followers (+50%)!

    Have you been linked yet? Follow our Linkedin company page and stay up to date with the latest offshore related news and our activities!

    IRO & partners

    Membership VNO-NCW

    IRO is a member of VNO-NCW. We see this membership as an important step to be heard and supported even better in the future. Together with our partners from Nederland Maritiem Land and from VNO-NCW, we are convinced that we will be even better able to advocate the importance of the Dutch Offshore Energy Industry at the highest level with our government.

    (International) cooperation with other organisations

    Over the year much attention was paid to cooperation with other organisations and associations for the purpose of exchanging information and exploring common areas of interest. IRO would like to thank, among others, the following organisations for their pleasant cooperation: Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Dutch embassies and consulates abroad, Maritime by Holland (NML), FME, KNVR, the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers (KIVI), the Central Dredging Association (CEDA), NOGEPA, SodM, IADC, AYOP, RPPC, NMT, Port of Rotterdam, NWEA, NABC, NexStep, DMEC and Nationaal Duurzaamheidsinstituut (NDI).

    Young IRO

    2021: A turbulent, but resilient year

    It is needless to say that 2021 has been a challenging year for us all due to the continued COVID pandemic. This has impacted the offshore energy industry economically and operationally, but we acknowledge it has also has had an impact on individuals within our Young IRO community. Despite being limited to digital events, as the Board we worked hard to further strengthen the Young IRO community and provide an exciting and refreshing year of events with a variety of themes.

    A grasp of Young IRO’s highlights of 2021:

    • We celebrated the registration of our 400th Y-IRO member (and counting!)
    • The Young IRO Ambassador network was initiated to grow closer to our member companies
    • An exciting podcast series was recorded with the IRO Board (titled: ‘Get on Board’), which has been listened more than 1400 times
    • The importance of mentorship has been extensively discussed with three inspiring mentor role models and the first ‘Mentor of the Year’ award was awarded (receiving 500+ votes)
    • In collaboration with Young NMT and NWEA, we organized 2 successful interactive webinars with renowned speakers about ‘networking & diversity’ and ‘impact of the energy transition’
    • As part of IRO’s 50-year anniversary, we looked back at the rapid evolution of offshore energy sector in the last 5 decades in a series of posts.
    • Our LinkedIn page currently has more than 1450 followers (20% increase w.r.t. 2020)

    Looking ahead at 2022

    Whilst it was not entirely possible to executive all plans last year, we are optimistic about the possibilities in 2022 and have ambitious plans to celebrate Young IRO’s 5-year anniversary with a variety of events and community initiatives. Together with our new Young IRO board members Ruben de Jong (Damen), Vera Nijwening (Huisman) and Myrna Staring (Fugro), we’ll be powered up and energised to make this year a success!

    Young IRO’s mission is to connect and inspire the younger generation of ambitious IRO community professionals to shape the energy industry of tomorrow. To do that, we’ve already got some cool and interesting activities lined up that focus on the industry trends and professional development for our Young IRO community, both digital and live. Stay tuned!

    Sincerely,

    Young IRO Board 2022

    Thijs Kamphuis, Ruben de Nie, Paul Schoenmakers, Ivo Muller, Meike Kolthof, Ruben de Jong, Vera Nijwening, Myrna Staring