This means I take over as team leader when the foreman is absent or when there is too much work for one man in charge.

The job in itself is very varied. After all, as substitute foreman you direct the operations. And that means computer work, managing people, improvising, looking for creative solution, and so on.

For my current job, it has proven to be very helpful that I have worked in so many different port related functions, both on board a vessel as on quay. You have a much better understanding of what you’re talking about, what can and cannot be done.

The contact with truck drivers is an extra benefit of this function. You get to meet many different people from – indeed – many different countries. It definitely helps to speak your languages.

* Curt is a docklabourer. Docklabourers are hired and trained by the port itself, not by PSA.

First we got a two week theoretical training on the handling of paper products. Then the whole team had the opportunity to go to Sweden for some practice on another Stora Enso Terminal.

We handled our first vessel in Zeebrugge on January 8th 2000, and everything went perfect!

In the years that passed, I managed to become foreman to the gang of colleagues of the first hour.

Of course, we have built up a lot of experience over the years. Still, with the industry evolving as fast as it does, we have to keep training in order to keep up. For example, some two years ago we began handling wood pulp as well.

Do I like my job? After being away for 9 months I came back from retirement last year. Apparently, it wasn’t really my cup of tea. Need I say more?

It’s just a lot of fun working here! We’re a really good team, a lot more than colleagues. Of course we have discussions sometimes, but by the time we go home, they’ve all been settled.

* Daniel is a docklabourer. Docklabourers are hired and trained by the port itself, not by PSA.

I made the switch back in 1998, with the start of the construction works for Wielingen Terminal, and I have not yet regretted it. With every new day, new challenges come along. And my job is diversifying still. One moment I’m resolving a technical problem by computer, the next I’m coordinating entire IT projects or training dockers in the use of computer systems.

The human aspect of my job is also very rewarding. In our relatively small team, we all know one another! The spirit amongst colleagues is really excellent, and that is important. Only 80% is IT, the other 20% human effort. IT and operations have to be able to trust and understand each other.

And technical evolution never stops. New management tools have to implemented, operational processes are continually being evaluated… A lot of work to be done!

I’ve been bitten by the port bug!

As for the 7 AM start of my working day: I’ll gladly take that in my stride!

In 1997 the company then known as Hessenatie took over (afterwards integrated in PSA HNN and now a part of PSA Zeebrugge). My job responsibilities were expanded and started including amongst others, personnel administration.

Two years ago I became assistant to Jacques Reyniers, the general manager of Container Handling Zeebrugge (CHZ). And today I find myself once again doing just about anything, but on a quite different level … I man (or should I say “wo-man”) the reception desk, make preparations for personnel administration, do a lot of administrative work and take on a number of tasks for Jacques as well, which I am all very happy to do!

A busy job, that’s a fact. But I love it nevertheless. Feeling appreciated, noticing your colleagues depend on you … More than enough reasons to come to work every day with a smile on my face! Now even more than ever … So much even, that I changed back from working part-time (4 days a week) to full-time. A simple matter of keeping everything under control.

And the stress? I just sweat it off on my rollerblades or in the gym!

But little by little I shifted more towards electrics. I came into contact with Container Handling Zeebrugge (CHZ) literally by accident. The first conversations with a colleague from CHZ occurred, of all places, in a hospital room.

<In August ’98, right after I left the hospital, I started working as an electrician at CHZ. At the end of 2005, I went on to become supervisor. A many-sided job in which organization, administration and technical matters mix perfectly.

My job never becomes a drag, the technical evolution is so fast, that routine is simply impossible. The new cranes used at CHZ since last year have a lot of new technology on board. And then there are also the new rail cranes, the future plans for the Albert II dock …

Before I started at CHZ, I worked for a number of maritime companies. They were all OK, but the appreciation, the colleagues, they’re no match for the atmosphere here.

Working in the port, it is a bug. Time and again I catch myself coming back from a holiday thinking “I really missed this terminal!”