George Franssen Appointed as Liaison for PPP Program on Maritime Manufacturing Industry in the U.S.

To fully capitalize on the opportunities for the Dutch maritime manufacturing industry in the United States, George Franssen has been appointed as the liaison for the program "Dutch Maritime Manufacturing Strategy: Green Innovation and Cost Savings in the U.S. Shipping Industry (2025–2027)."

With over 40 years of impressive experience in the global maritime sector, George brings a wealth of knowledge and an extensive international network. He has worked with shipyards, shipping companies, OEMs, and governments in regions such as North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. George is passionate about offshore wind and sustainable innovations in shipping and has previously established successful businesses in North America.

As liaison, George will play a key role in strengthening the position of Dutch maritime manufacturing companies in the U.S. His responsibilities include:

• Mapping relevant stakeholders such as shipyards, shipping companies, and government organizations;
• Identifying concrete project opportunities;
• Exploring interest in incoming delegations to the Netherlands;
• Supporting the recruitment of the right American contacts for Dutch pavilions, side events, and matchmaking activities during trade shows and missions.

George will act on behalf of the consortium as a bridge builder between Dutch companies and the American maritime market. His knowledge of both the business and cultural dynamics in the U.S. makes him highly suited to locally reinforce the program.

“I believe in sustainable relationships and am convinced that the Dutch maritime sector, with its innovative solutions, can make a significant contribution to the transformation of the American shipping industry,” said George Franssen.

With this appointment, the PPP program takes an important step toward long-term cooperation and concrete export opportunities in a rapidly evolving American maritime market.

The program is a Public-Private Partnership between RVO, the Dutch Embassy Network in the U.S., and NMT-IRO. More information can be found in this summary.