Victor van der Chijs, after five years as chairman of Deltalinqs, is departing Rotterdam's port for Dubai to establish the National University of Dubai, focusing on talent development, research, and innovation. His tenure was marked by navigating economic turbulence, geopolitical tensions, and the urgent need for sustainability within the port. Van der Chijs, initially an outsider to the maritime jargon, became a vocal advocate for the industry, emphasizing the necessity of a level playing field in Europe for energy transition and industrial competitiveness. He championed efforts to secure government support for Dutch businesses facing high electricity costs and complex regulations, citing instances where companies relocated due to these challenges. Despite frustrations, he acknowledges successes like the scrapping of the plastic levy and the Porthos CO2 storage project, expressing cautious optimism for the new government's focus on stable policy and reduced energy costs.