Frans van Zoelen is Head of Legal Emeritus of Havenbedrijf Rotterdam N.V. (Port of Rotterdam Authority) and assigned to Special Projects. He is Legal Counselor to the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) (www.iaphworldports.org) and chairs the IAPH Legal Committee. In the Netherlands Frans van Zoelen chairs the Dutch Legal Network for Shipping and Transport (www.dlnst.nl), and is a member of the Board of the Dutch Transport Law Association (www.vervoerrecht.nl).

Frans van Zoelen holds a master’s degree in civil and public law from Erasmus University Rotterdam, and has additional specializations in real estate law, company law, competition law and maritime law. With a master’s degree in public administration from the Nederlandse School voor Openbaar Bestuur and Financial Master Classes for Lawyers at Nyenrode Business University, Frans van Zoelen also has developed an expertise and strong interest in how the public and private sector interface, a focus essential for navigating complex port and industrial environments.

Frans van Zoelen lives in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, together with his wife and son.