Maurice Delattre, Regional Director Europe at the Port of Amsterdam, is passionate about driving sustainability in the maritime industry and believes in embracing unexpected opportunities and maintaining a positive mindset in all aspects of life.
His career in the shipping industry began in Hamburg, where his early fascination with ports led him to an apprenticeship at a family-owned shipping company. Over the years, he has worked with various companies, focusing on the commercial aspects of the business. Currently, he thrives in the dynamic port ecosystem, collaborating with international stakeholders across Europe.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Maurice Delattre: As I was born and raised in Hamburg, the shipping and ports industry has fascinated me since my childhood days. This is why I decided to start working as an apprentice for a family-owned shipping company after graduating from high school. Having worked for various companies in the industry, I especially enjoy working with our customers on the commercial side of the business.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
M.D.: A port cluster is a very dynamic and complex ecosystem, where various industrial and logistics activities come together. This means that dealing with a variety of stakeholders is at the heart of our business. On top, we are operating in a global environment with a strong focus on our European network. The close cooperation with international partners (public and private) is what makes this job unique and interesting.
S4S: When you think of the word successful who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?
M.D.: The first person that comes to my mind is my wife Elisa, because she has achieved success not just in her career so far but also in her ability to inspire others, adapt to change, learn new things and being a role model to many people around her.
S4S: What is the best and what was the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given and why?
M.D.: The best piece of advice was given to me during one of my first large-scale projects when I was told that the two most important things in life are to be curious and never stop believing in the good things to happen. This advice has proven right in many situations in both, private and professional context.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
M.D.: If I were to choose, I would say continuously learning. This also includes travelling and any form of education, self-study or engagement with experts. Learning about various aspects in life, staying curious and adaptable has provided me with new opportunities and, in my opinion, is the most worthwhile investment one can make.
S4S: If you could give a piece of advice to your 18-year-old-self one thing, what would it be and why?
M.D.: What piece of advice should you ignore? I’d tell my 18-year-old-self (who was just about to graduate from high-school): Always believe in yourself and listen to your gut feeling in moments of uncertainty. The advice to ignore: follow linear career path, because the most valuable opportunities often come from unexpected directions.
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?
M.D.: I would say, adapting a mindset of strategic patience has improved my business life in the last five years. Realizing the importance of balancing a long-term strategy with short-term execution has taught me a lot on prioritizing tasks, making better decisions and navigating challenges more effectively.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
M.D.: In my opinion, the number one priority is to help transform the (maritime) industry towards a more sustainable and, at the same time, commercially viable ecosystem. The magnitude of this transition is large and complex, however it’s probably the most important transition we need to achieve in the coming years.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
M.D.: Be the person that you like the most, take care of the people that matter most to you and always believe in the good things to happen. With that in mind, I try to approach any situation that may occur, even unexpectedly, with a positive attitude. Certainly not always easy, but it has helped me a lot in the past.
The views presented are only those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
