We are proud to announce that Wijnand van Aalst, CEO of the Van Aalst Group, has been officially nominated for a leading international Leadership Award — a recognition reserved for industry figures who reshape markets, build lasting partnerships, and set new standards in engineering and maritime innovation.
This nomination comes in the same year that Wijnand marks 25 years of entrepreneurship — a milestone that underlines the depth and longevity of his impact across multiple sectors.
A Career Defined by Building — Not Just Leading
Wijnand’s story isn’t one of inherited advantage or corporate theatrics.
It’s a story of building. Piece by piece. Market by market. Partner by partner.
What started as a family business grew under his direction into a global group active in:
- Advanced offshore access systems (Safeway)
- Dry bulk handling and cement logistics (Van Aalst Marine & Offshore)
- Concrete technology and sustainable mixer innovation (Mulder Europe)
Across these companies, the common thread is simple:
engineering quality, operational reliability, and long-term trust.
Why This Nomination Matters
The Leadership Award acknowledges individuals who:
- push their industries forward,
- accelerate innovation,
- strengthen cross-sector collaboration,
- and demonstrate consistent, measurable impact over time.
Wijnand meets every one of those criteria — and more.
Driving Innovation Across Offshore Access
Under his leadership, Safeway went from idea to global reference point in offshore access.
He pushed for:
- safer, smarter motion-compensated gangways,
- advanced modes like Hover, Staircase Mode, and 3D Crane Mode,
- fully electric systems for cleaner operations,
- and custom solutions for vessels worldwide, from the North Sea to Taiwan.
The result:
Safeway is now one of the most recognized innovation drivers in offshore wind access — with 15 units globally and more in development.
Modernizing Cement Logistics and Concrete Technology
With Van Aalst Marine & Offshore, he strengthened partnerships with major shipowners and shipyards, delivering proven dry bulk handling systems used around the globe.
At Mulder Europe, he championed forward-thinking solutions like the EcoDrive 2.0 electric concrete mixer, pushing sustainability in a traditionally conservative industry. These innovations didn’t just fill a market gap — they raised the bar.
A Bridge Builder in Every Sense
A major factor in this nomination is Wijnand’s ability to connect people who normally operate in silos.
He has built relationships with:
- governments,
- shipowners,
- turbine manufacturers,
- offshore contractors,
- engineering firms,
- and financiers such as international banks and investment funds.
From Europe to Asia-Pacific to South America, Wijnand has brought together parties who — without these connections — wouldn’t have collaborated. That ability has opened doors for Dutch engineering worldwide.
Recognition That Reflects 25 Years of Impact
This nomination acknowledges not just the companies he built, but the mindset he brought to every project:
think long term, deliver what you promise, and build partnerships that last.
It’s also a collective achievement. The teams across Safeway, Van Aalst Marine & Offshore, and Mulder Europe — along with suppliers and partners — played essential roles in reaching this point.
A Well-Deserved Milestone
On behalf of the entire Van Aalst Group:
Congratulations, Wijnand, on this well-earned nomination.
It marks 25 years of bold decisions, hard work, industry-changing innovation, and the kind of leadership that doesn’t need a spotlight — because the results speak for themselves.