Center for Maritime Economics & Logistics (MEL)

06/10/2026

The MEL Class of 2027 has officially started their journey! 🎓🚢

Last week we welcomed our newest cohort to Rotterdam and the energy has been incredible from day one.

Intro week at MEL is anything but ordinary. Students went straight into immersive industry simulations bringing the complexity of global shipping to life, making real time decisions on capacity, scheduling, cargo and revenue under pressure. Just real world maritime thinking from the start.

But it is not all about shipping operations. From cross-cultural communication to understanding how people from different backgrounds think, lead and collaborate, our students are already building the skills that matter most in a global industry like maritime.

Welcome Class of 2027. The journey has only just begun and we cannot wait to see where it takes you! 🌍

29/09/2026

Celebrating our MEL Class of 2026! 🎓

Last week we gathered to celebrate the graduation of our Class of 2026, and what a special ceremony it was.

This year's event was extra special as we welcomed three distinguished MEL alumni back as keynote speakers, each representing a different era of the programme: Maarten van der Giessen, Abhishek Nair and Gloria Gao. Their insights and perspectives were an inspiration to everyone in the room.

We were also proud to celebrate two outstanding award winners:

🏆 George Patrick Jackson, winner of the Maersk Best Thesis Award, presented by Wouter den Heijer, Head of Europe Short Sea Operations at Maersk.

🏆 Panji Bagus Suroaji, recipient of the Student Excellence Award for the highest overall grade, presented by Armando Garcia-Gallardo, Trade Manager at Stolt Tankers.

On behalf of the graduating class, Steeve Sotaridona delivered a heartfelt and memorable student address that perfectly captured the spirit of this year's cohort.

To our Class of 2026, congratulations. You leave MEL not only with knowledge but with the resilience and drive to make your mark in maritime economics and logistics. We are so proud of each and every one of you and cannot wait to see what comes next!

12/06/2026

Tonight was a good one 🍽️✨

Our annual MEL End of Year Dinner brought students, staff, lecturers and alumni together for an evening of celebration and good company.

For our MEL Class of 2026 this one felt extra special. Coursework done. Thesis ahead. Graduation on the horizon 🎓

To our students, you have got this. We are so proud of how far you have come and cannot wait to cheer you across the finish line 🙌🚢

29/05/2026

We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming interest in the MEL Class of 2027 (2026-2027 academic year) this year 🙏

We now have very few seats remaining for the October 2026 intake. Once these last places are reserved, a waitlist will be implemented for any incoming applications. As always, it is first-come, first-served.

To everyone who has already secured their place, we cannot wait to welcome you to Rotterdam this October 🚢

For those who missed out this year, do not be discouraged. Enrollment for the 2027-2028 academic year is already open, and places are already being reserved. We would encourage you to apply early and secure your place ahead of the curve.

We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming interest already in the 2027-2028 academic year. It is a testament to the reputation and impact of the MEL programme worldwide 🌍

👉 www.maritimeeconomics.com

Explore the MSc in Maritime Economics & Logistics at Erasmus University Rotterdam—combining research, tailored programmes, and industry partnerships.

24/04/2026

We were recently visited by maritime journalists as part of the Blue-C press tour through the Netherlands 🚢

The result is this feature by Maritime Innovations, interviewing two of the leading minds connected to our programme:

Prof. Dr. Albert Veenstra, MEL Academic Director and Professor of Trade and Logistics at Rotterdam School of Management, and Dr. Maurice Jansen, port innovation specialist at the Erasmus Centre for Urban Ports and Transport Economics.

The article covers what MEL graduates actually know and why companies like , , and Vopak consistently recruit from our programme, and what 25 years of maritime research at means for the industry.

Read the full article: link in bio 🔗

Photo by: Alexander Santos Lima

14/04/2026

Some feedback that never gets old 🙏

When our alumni take the time to share their experience, it means everything to us.

“As an alumni, I can guarantee the program offers the latest knowledge of the maritime industry. I consider MEL the best maritime program out there.”Dimas Lasso, MEL Alumni 🚢

This is why we do what we do.

Thinking about joining the next cohort? Applications for October 2026 are still open.

👉 Link in bio

07/04/2026

Rotterdam. Europe’s largest port. Your classroom. 🚢

At MEL, you don’t just study the maritime industry — you’re immersed in it.

96% of our recent graduates are employed.
88% found their role within 1–3 months of finishing.
24% had a job offer before they even graduated.

One year. One world-class programme. A global career.

📍 Erasmus University Rotterdam
📅 Next intake: 1 October 2026
🔗 Link in bio to apply

📷 Photo: Ossip van Duivenbode