“As the wine goes in, the ideas come out,” those were the words immortalised by the GreenPort Congress chairman and moderator, Christopher Wooldridge, at the 2025 GreenPort Congress dinner.
And he’s right, some of the best conversations are held and business deals struck up over a glass of wine or two and working relationships can be cemented for the future.
This year the dinner was hosted by Transport Malta at the historic Fort St.Angelo where guests were treated to a three course dinner influenced by Maltese history.
After dinner, three special people were presented with awards for their consistent and unwavering support of the conference over the course of its 20 year history - Chris Wooldridge himself, Isabelle Ryckbost, secretary general ESPO and Lamia Kerdjoudj, secretary general of FEPORT.
A lifetime achievement
Chris was presented with a special award by Andrew Webster, CEO of Mercator, recognising the important contribution that he has made to the event and the sector as a whole over the course of his long career.
He has worked on research and development and training with the port sector since 1982 specialising in the environmental management of port and shipping operations.
Chris has also been instrumental in the development of EcoPorts tools and methodologies and is active in their implementation internationally supported by the cooperation between ECOSLC, ESPO and the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA).
He acts as reviewer of the EcoPorts’ Self-Diagnosis Methodology (SDM) and was director of studies, marine geography in the school of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, UK until 2011.
Chris hangs up his hat as chairman and moderator of the GreenPort Congress this year after having being there for every event in the conference’s 20-year history.
”I’m sad to be standing down but the time has now come to hand over to the next generation who will look at things differently and bring fresh new ideas to the table. I am proud and honoured to have been part of the GreenPort conference and the strong network that we have created,” he said.
Chris is handing the batton over to his colleague Dr Mark van der Veen, director of the graduate school of business at the University of Amsterdam.
“I am proud to be able to carry on the important work that the Congress does in the future and bring my own expertise into the conversation,” he said.
”I look forward to meeting you all at GreenPort Congress 2026.”
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