Marine surveyors
Marine surveyors

Paul Allaert, MSc
Master Mariner
Dutch, English, French
Paul started as surveyor with Van Ameyde Marine in 2002 and became an all-round marine surveyor.
Before becoming a marine surveyor, Paul sailed for 10 years on various types of vessels, mainly tanker vessels, obtained a Master Mariner’s license and ended his career at sea as Chief Officer on a VLCC.
He followed various courses such as Cambridge Refrigeration Technology and Postharvest Technology Short Course at UC Davis, thus improving his skills on refrigerated cargoes.
Paul handled several large casualties, including a few cases as surveyor appointed by the Court.
Specialities
- Dry bulk cargoes
- Liquid cargoes
- Refrigerated cargoes
- CMR/Road incidents

Gerard Bakker, Bsc NIVRE-re
Master Mariner
NIVRE-re
Dutch, English
Gerard, a Master Mariner, joined Van Ameyde Marine in 2003 as an all-round Marine Surveyor and is registered as surveyor for the Dutch Institute of Registered Surveyors (NIVRE-re).
Gerard completed a nautical education in 1983. He sailed as a Chief Officer on reefer- and general cargo vessels for many years, before becoming a cargo underwriter’s surveyor which he was for a period of 12 years.
He has a wide experience in surveying all types of cargo, which also include advising on salvage sales, reconditioning and consultancy.
Gerard is an approved and trained Green Award auditor, an approved Flag State inspector and an approved 360 Quality Code surveyor.
Specialities
- International Shipping Rules & Regulations
- CMR/Road incidents
- Agri products
- Condition/pre-purchase inspections

Henk Bakker, Bsc
Master Mariner
Dutch, English
Henk is a Master Mariner and all-round surveyor, who joined Van Ameyde Marine in 1989.
Before becoming a marine surveyor, Henk was at sea for 10-years, serving on a variety of vessels; lastly as a Chief Officer on reefer vessels.
He has extensive experience in reefer cargo and on reefer vessels. Furthermore, he took several courses in refrigerated products and refrigeration units. Apart from conducting fruit reefer surveys, Henk has investigated and advised on a wide range of matters including stowage and lashing of heavy cargo. He has supervised and advised in numerous special heavy cargo projects.
Henk has a degree in Business Administration and took courses in ISO & ISM. He is an approved 360 Quality Inspector.
Specialities
- Heavy lift and breakbulk loading
- Lashing and securing
- Refrigerated cargoes
- Agri products
- Condition/pre-purchase inspections

Almos Boldizsar BMO
Dutch, English, Hungarian
Almos started within Van Ameyde Marine as marine surveyor in 2018. He completed his degree in Bachelor of Maritime Operations in 2014 and spent his sea-time career on board Chemical tanker vessels.
As a Deck Officer he was focused on Navigation, Cargo Operations, Maintenance and Safety Management. Making improvement wherever possible. He began his shore career as Marine Superintendent at a chemical tanker shipping company. During which he spent as much time ashore as on board assisting crews prepare for and perform during vetting inspections. Main goals being to enhance safety awareness through personal training and implementation of procedures.
Almos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Operations, full chemical tanker qualification and attended various courses related to Risk and Safety Management.
Specialities
- Navigation
- Safety management
- Tanker operations
- Condition / pre-purchase inspections
- Vetting inspections

Walter Dekkers, Bsc
Chief Engineer
NIVRE-re, AFNI, IBIA, IAMSP
Dutch, English
In 1990 Walter Dekkers joined Van Ameyde Marine as a Marine Surveyor. As from September 2006 Walter has been Managing Director of Van Ameyde Marine.
Walter holds his Chief Engineer’s licence and has 7 years of sea-going experience. During his time at sea he sailed on a variety of vessels including heavy lift vessels.
His main work involves all types of technical and cargo surveys, but he also carries out P&I entry and condition surveys, pre-purchase surveys and risk management inspections.Walter is trained as an ISM Lead Auditor, he is an approved 360 Quality Inspector and he completed the Cambridge Reefer Course. Furthermore, he took various tanker courses.
He is a member of IBIA, registered as surveyor for the Dutch Institute of Registered Surveyors (NIVRE-re), an associate fellow of the Nautical Institute and a registered UNUM arbiter.
Walter has handled several large casualties, including court cases, and has acted as an expert witness.
Specialities
- Bunker disputes
- Reefer plan issues
- Vessel performance / speed check
- Engine / hull damage
- Condition / pre-purchase inspection

Ronald Brouwer NIVRE-re, MNI
NIVRE-re
Dutch, English
Ronald joined Van Ameyde Marine in 2007 as Manager of our Amsterdam office. He completed his nautical education in 1982 and sailed for 10 years, mainly on heavy cargo vessels, reefer vessels and general cargo vessels; serving in all ranks up to Chief Officer.
In 1992, Ronald started as a marine cargo and nautical surveyor. He was Director of an Amsterdam based cargo survey company.
Ronald is an approved 360 Quality Inspector, registered as surveyor for the Dutch Institute of Registered Surveyors (NIVRE-re) and an approved surveyor for ultrasonic testing of hatch cover panels.
Specialities
- Cocoa, potatoes and timber
- CMR/Road incidents
- Condition / pre-purchase inspections
- Lashing / securing project cargo
- Steel shipments

Mayke Van den Brande, Bsc
Dutch, English, French
In 2017 Mayke joined Van Ameyde Marine as a Marine Surveyor.
Mayke completed her nautical and technical education and obtained her Maritime Officer License (first mate all ships, with a Captain’s license). Additionally she followed the course ‘Transport and Logistics’ on bachelor level.
After her graduation she sailed as Maritime Officer on various types of vessels, such as Ro-Ro, General Cargo and Bulk carriers, where she was amongst others responsible for the correct stowage of the cargo.
After her sea-going carrier she worked as a Port Captain with different companies in Belgium. Before starting at Van Ameyde Marine, Mayke was a Marine Surveyor working for a Dutch survey company where she carried out different kind of surveys.
Specialities
- Breakbulk cargoes
- Lashing / securing

Peter Coppelmans, Bsc
Dutch, English, German
Peter joined Van Ameyde Marine in 2004 as an all-round marine surveyor.
In 1986 Peter completed his nautical education. After graduation, he sailed as a deck officer on general cargo and heavy lift vessels. Subsequently, he worked for many years as an area sales manager for a company specialized in complex integrated bridge systems, and communication and automation systems for sea-going vessels.
Peter took various courses, including tanker and liquid cargo courses. He also successfully completed a specialized Tanker Training Programme (Chemical) and Marine Pollution Control Oil Spill Response.
Over the years Peter gained a lot of experience in handling and re-solving all kinds of marine pollution cases, amongst which a major oil spill, which extended over a large part of the Amsterdam port area.
Specialities
- Oil pollution/management
- Tanker operations / liquid cargoes / chemicals
- Bulk carriers / dry bulk cargoes
- Container ships / refrigerated cargoes
- Casualty investigations
- P&I condition surveys
- MWS Offshore Wind / renewables

Carl Dedecker, Bsc
Dutch, English, French
Carl joined Van Ameyde Marine in 2003 as a Marine Surveyor. As from November 2014 Carl is General Manager for the Belgium branches.
He acquired his license as an Officer and Specialist Marine Electronics and has 10 years of sea-going experience on different types of vessels and finally on a jack-up drilling rig where he made his way up to Barge Engineer. Working in the oil industry he received extensive safety training, such as e.g. Advanced Fire Fighting and Prevention, Fire Team Leader, and the shipment of IMDG cargo by air and sea.
He then worked for 4 years for a software company which was world leader in software for container terminals, where he gained experience in the automation of large container terminals world-wide.
During the years with Van Ameyde Marine, Carl followed various courses such as IMDG regulations, Cambridge reefer course, and cargo securing for road transport, and seminars on exceptional large and heavy transports. Furthermore, he gave several presentations and courses on the stowage of coils in containers.
Specialities
- Handling, stowage and securing of (heavy) project cargo
- Stowage and securing of cargo in containers and on flatrack containers
- Electronics and electronic equipment

Jan Dickers, Bsc
Dutch, English, French
Jan started at Van Ameyde Marine in 1991 and worked in several of our offices in Belgium and abroad, including Curacao, Bonaire and Amsterdam.
After completing his nautical education, Jan sailed as a deck officer on various types of vessels (bulk carriers, chemical tanker and container vessels).
Jan is an all-round marine and cargo surveyor, with particular expertise in cargo claims on refrigerated cargoes (bananas, kiwi fruit and deep-frozen cargoes), rice and steel.
He is also an approved Flag State inspector. He received additional training in cargo handling and safety courses on liquefied gas carriers, crude oil washing and chemicals. Furthermore, he successfully completed the course Marine refrigeration (Cambridge Refrigeration Technology) as well as the Maritime Labour Convention.
Specialities
- Refrigerated cargoes
- CMR surveys
- Rice
- Flag state inspections

Elbert Francke NIVRE-re, MNI
NIVRE-re, MNI
Dutch, English, German
In 2016 Elbert joined Van Ameyde Marine after being a Marine Cargo Surveyor for nearly three years and is registered as surveyor for the Dutch Institute of Registered Surveyors (NIVRE-re).
Elbert completed his nautical college in 1992 after which he sailed for 8 years on multi-purpose cargo vessels, such as bulk carriers, project cargo- and heavy lift vessels. He served in various ranks and holds his Chief Officer’s license.
After his time at sea Elbert worked as a Vessel Operator and as Supercargo involved in the worldwide supervision of loading and discharging of project cargoes for a Rotterdam based ship owner.
Further, Elbert gained experience as a certified Internal ISM/ISPS Auditor for which the relevant DNV course (Internal Auditor Safety & Quality Management Systems) was followed, and gained in-depth knowledge in the MLC 2006 regulations. Also Elbert is SDT Qualified for the Ultrasonic Tightness Testing of Hatches.
Specialities
- Breakbulk loading operations
- Lashing and securing
- Agri products
- MWS Offshore Wind / renewables

Frank Gielis, Bsc
Master Mariner
Dutch, English, French
In 1994 Frank joined Van Ameyde Marine and as from 2002 Frank has been Manager of our Zeebrugge office.
Frank holds his Master’s license and has 7 years of sea-going experience. During his time at sea he sailed on a variety of vessels including multipurpose Oil-Bulk-Ore vessels, LPG- and LNG carriers and container vessels. His interest is wide and involves all types of surveys and cargoes such as lashing & securing of cargoes, temperature controlled produce, CMR surveys, automotive & technical surveys, investigation into theft, advice with regard to stowage and packaging of cargo, fire damages to vehicles.
Frank has followed several professional trainings such as operational safety on LPGC, LNGC and Chemical tankers and attended courses with regard to temperature controlled cargoes and reefer units (Cambridge Refrigeration Technology).
Specialities
- CMR surveys
- Ro-Ro related damages
- Lashing and securing of breakbulk cargoes
- Refrigerated cargoes
- Technical surveys

Sander Jongenelen BMO
Dutch, English
In 2013 Sander joined Van Ameyde Marine as a Marine Surveyor.
Sander completed his nautical and technical education in Vlissingen, where he obtained his Bachelor of Maritime Operations, including specialism Heavy Lift.
After his graduation, he sailed mainly on heavy lift vessels, but he also has sea-going experience on general cargo and Ro-Ro vessels. He served in various ranks and holds his Chief Officer license.
Sander took various marine-related courses including Bridge- and Resource Management, crowd resource management, SAR Craft Operator and Marine Environment Management. Furthermore, Sander is SDT Qualified for the Ultrasonic Tightness Testing of Hatch cover panels.
Specialities
- Refrigerated cargoes
- Dry bulk cargoes
- Containers
- Heavy lift operations
- Casualty investigation
- Pilferage
- MWS Offshore Wind / renewables
- Ultrasonic hatch cover testing

Donald Knollenburg, MSc
Master Mariner
Dutch, English, French
In 1989 Donald joined Van Ameyde Marine. He has been manager of our Antwerp office as from 2000.
Donald is a Master Mariner and has 10 years of sea-going experience on various types of vessels, such as general cargo vessels, container vessels, bulk carriers and OBO carriers. He served in all ranks up to and including Chief Officer.
He has 25 years of experience as a maritime surveyor with our company. Donald is an all-round marine surveyor, with particular expertise in cargo claims on dry and liquid bulk cargoes (chemicals, mineral oils and bunkers oils); claims in connection with temperature-controlled cargoes; collision and grounding investigations; cocoa; cargo reprocessing and mitigation of loss.
Donald took different courses related to the maritime industry, such as Oil & Chemical courses, Crude Oil Washing and Inert Gas; reefer courses organised by CRT (Cambridge Refrigeration Technology), CMR; management.
Specialities
- Liquid chemical cargoes
- Refrigerated cargoes
- General- and bulk cargoes
Sam Lauwers, Bsc
Dutch, English, French, Spanish
Sam started as surveyor with Van Ameyde Marine in 2019 at our Zeebrugge office.
After he graduated as a Bachelor in Nautical Sciences at the Antwerp Maritime Academy in 2012, he started working as a marine surveyor with a well-known survey company. For almost 6 years he gained experience in claims surveys, loss prevention and perishables cargoes. He also worked for 2 years for a large RoRo carrier operator as Port Captain and Cargo Quality coordinator.
Sam is SDT Qualified for the Ultrasonic Tightness Testing of Hatches, and followed courses on transport insurance and on heavy transport and lifting.
Specialities
- Refrigerated cargoes
- Containers
- Lashing and securing
- Breakbulk cargoes
- Steel coils
- RoRo cargoes
- Ultrasonic hatch cover testing
- Loss prevention
- On- / off-hire surveys
- CMR/Road incidents

Dirk Lefever
Dutch, English, French
Dirk joined Van Ameyde Marine in 2001 as a Marine Surveyor in our Antwerp office. After a career of 5 years at sea on various types of cargo vessels, Dirk joined a survey company in Antwerp where he worked for 13 years, mainly for P&I clubs. Subsequently, he worked for 2 years as head of a major Antwerp steel import- and export company and 2 years as supercargo in various ports in Europe.
Dirk went back to his working roots and joined Van Ameyde Marine in 2001.
Dirk is passionate for his job, which consists mostly of steel cargoes and follow-up of project cargo shipments. Further, Dirk is SDT Qualified for the Ultrasonic Tightness Testing of Hatches.
Specialities
- Steel cargoes, pre-loading surveys
- Dry cargoes, cleanliness surveys
- Hatch cover panel surveys and ultra-sonic testing for weather tightness
- Oil spills

Martijn Lukassen
Master Mariner
Dutch, English
Martijn is a Master Mariner, who joined our Rotterdam office of Van Ameyde Marine in 2019.
He completed his nautical and technical education (Maritime Officer) in 1996 at Vlissingen. After graduation, he gained 10 years of worldwide sea-going experience in various ranks and disciplines on dry-cargo type of vessels.
After his years at sea, Martijn worked for 9 years as newbuilding superintendent on shipyards in Europe and in China, where he lived abroad for 7 years.
Recently, he worked as fleet operator, supercargo and worked as ship manager and vessel coordinator for a Rotterdam based deepsea container shipping company.
Specialities
- Containers
- IMDG code / dangerous goods
- Dry bulk cargoes
- Vessel performance
- Steel cargoes
- Forest products
- Chartering
- Factory Acceptances Tests (FAT)
- Condition/pre-purchase inspections

Christiaan Muilwijk BMO
Dutch, English
Christiaan joined Van Ameyde Marine in 2018 as Marine Surveyor for our Rotterdam office. In 2013 he completed his Bachelor in Maritime Operations, nautical and technical education (MAROF).
After his graduation, he sailed mainly on chemical tankers and RoRo vessels, but he also has experience on ocean passenger vessels and inland tankers. He served in various ranks and holds his Chief Officer license.
Christiaan took various marine-related courses including Bridge- and Resource Management, Chemical & Oil tanker qualification, IMDG cargoes, Marine Environment Management and ice navigation. Furthermore Christiaan has in-depth knowledge in operation and maintenance of Framo Cargo Pumping systems.
Specialities
- Tanker operations / Liquid cargoes / tankers
- Navigation practices

Peter van Rijn, Bsc
Master Mariner
Dutch, English
Peter has 10 years of sea-going experience on various types of vessels, such as general cargo vessels, container vessels, Ro-Ro vessels, chemical tankers and heavy lift vessels. He served in all ranks up to and including Chief Officer.
He has over 20 years of experience as a marine surveyor, including 12 years of running his own surveying and consultancy firm.
Peter is an all-round marine surveyor, with particular expertise in cargo claims on dry and liquid bulk cargoes (chemicals, mineral oils and vegetable oils); claims in connection with collapse of container stows; stowage, lashing and securing surveys on heavy cargo units; collision and grounding investigations; cargo reprocessing and mitigation of loss.
Peter took different courses related to the maritime industry, such as Oil & Chemical courses, ship management courses, etc.
Specialities
- Lashing / securing project cargo
- Tanker operations / liquid cargoes
- Solid bulk cargoes / IMSBC Code
- Container stow collapse casualties
- MWS Offshore Wind / renewables

Jaap Steenbergen BMO
Member club oil & fats
Dutch, English
Jaap joined Van Ameyde Marine in 2010 and is the General Manager in the Netherlands. In 2004 he completed his nautical and technical education (MAROF). After that he sailed as a deck officer, mainly on chemical tankers.
He worked as a ship operator and incident investigator at the employer’s main office. Furthermore, he worked on the on-board implementation of a newly developed ECDIS / SVDR system. Subsequently, Jaap worked as a SHE-Q officer on various marine off-shore projects as well as on maintenance of ISO9001 and OHSAS18000 standards.
Until 2010, he worked as Maritime Simulation Manager on the development of high-standard ship simulation software and hardware to comply with relevant DNV certification levels. Furthermore, he was involved in sales, implementation and providing train-the-trainer courses for the simulators, worldwide.
Jaap took several courses such as Marine Expeditor and Crude Oil Washing with the Energy Institute, Oil & Chemical courses, Ship- as well as Company Security Officer courses, a Ship Management course and is SDT Qualified for the Ultrasonic Tightness Testing of Hatches.
Specialities
- Tanker operations / Liquid cargoes / tankers
- Marine software / IT / instruments
- Auditing quality systems

Joost Vermeer
Dutch, English
In 2007 Joost joined Van Ameyde Marine as a Marine Surveyor. Joost completed his nautical education in 1997. After graduation, he sailed as a ship’s officer on various types of vessels, including dredgers. After 7 years of sea-going experience, Joost took up a position as controller and cargo inspector and as a draught surveyor. Furthermore, he worked as a logistics planner and as a ship’s operator in Amsterdam.
Joost is specialized in the quality inspection of cocoa at leading importers. He is well trained in ultrasonic testing of hatch covers. He is an approved Flag State inspector.
Specialities
- Steel cargo surveys
- Cocoa
- Flag State inspections

Gregory Vervalle, Bsc
Chemist
Dutch, English, French
Gregory is an all-round Marine Surveyor and joined our Antwerp office of Van Ameyde Marine in 2002. In 1996 Gregory Vervalle graduated in Chemistry after which he conducted his internship at the University of The Orange Free State at Bloemfontein (South Africa).
Until 2002, he worked for an inspection company dealing with the control of chemicals and liquefied gasses on board of tankers.
Over the past years, he took several courses, related to the aspect of chemicals and liquefied gasses.
- Integral Container Familiarisation (CRT – Cambridge)
- Cargo Shortages in the Petroleum Industry (Abacus International Training – London)
- Gas Tanker Operations (SGS – Antwerp)
- Bunker Management (Lloyd’s Maritime Academy – London)
Specialities
- Liquid chemicals
- Tanker operations
- Refrigerated cargoes
- Agri products

Jaap van der Wees, Bsc NIVRE-re
Master Mariner
NIVRE-re, member KNVTS
Dutch, English
Jaap joined Van Ameyde Marine in 1987. He obtained his second Engineer’s and Master Mariner’s licence in Vlissingen. He started his career at Shell Tankers and sailed for 9 years, mainly on tanker vessels and bulk carriers. Jaap took various courses, including the Cambridge Reefer Course and tanker courses. He is trained to conduct CDI and ISM audits and he is an approved 360 Quality Inspector.
Jaap has more than 30 years of experience as marine surveyor and is registered as surveyor for the Dutch Institute of Registered Surveyors (NIVRE-re). He carries out various types of surveys, including cargo damage, pre-purchase, (P&I) condition, H&M, Fixed and Floating Objects and lashing and securing surveys. He is also experienced in the field of liquid cargoes and LPG and reefer cargoes.
During his career, Jaap has handled several large casualties, including court cases, and he acted as an expert witness.
Specialities
- Steel and reefer cargoes
- Tanker operations / liquid cargoes / chemicals
- Fixed and floating objects
- Hull damage surveys
- Salvage operations and wreck removals