A New Direction for Aqualiner: Johan de Haas Succeeds Peter Waterman as CEO

Can you tell us a little about yourself and the path that led you to Aqualiner?

“I grew up in Zwijndrecht and was surrounded by the region’s ferry services even as a child. After earning my degree in mechanical engineering, I started working in the petrochemical industry, but I wanted to be closer to the end product. That’s why I moved to Damen Shipyards, where I spent ten years working on high-speed ferries and later on the design and marketing of new ship concepts.

“My involvement with the Maassluis–Rozenburg ferry service has greatly shaped my perspective on regional accessibility. Because Damen is a shareholder in Aqualiner, I subsequently became the point of contact between the two organizations. During a period of major challenges, I worked together with the Province of South Holland, municipalities, and the team to develop a future-proof plan that now serves as the foundation for the coming years.”

What do you plan to focus on most during your first 100 days as CEO?

“In my first few months, one thing is my top priority: our people. The fleet is important, but it’s the employees who make transportation possible every day. I want to listen, get to know everyone, and understand what’s going on in all parts of the organization. I also see opportunities to further develop our commercial activities—not only through the WaterShuttle to Kinderdijk, but also by providing support for regional infrastructure projects. We can make a bigger impact than we do now.”

What role do you see water transportation playing in the region’s future mobility?

“We are facing major changes in mobility. Pressure on the road network is increasing, and cities want to become less dependent on car traffic. As a result, it makes sense to give water transportation a permanent place in the mobility system. Since many cities are located along bodies of water, we can offer direct connections where space on land is limited. And with the major road and bridge maintenance projects planned for the coming years, this also presents an excellent opportunity to introduce travelers to this alternative form of transportation.”

What opportunities do you see in the areas of sustainability and innovation?

“Sustainability will be a key focus in the coming years. Waterbus Line 22 is already fully electric. Electrifying longer routes is technically possible, but grid congestion does pose a challenge. That’s why we’re also exploring solutions such as Smart Energy Hubs and battery buffering. A new electric vessel, featuring automated docking and undocking, will be introduced for the Maassluis–Rozenburg ferry service. This will increase efficiency and improve safety for the crew. Automation is not an end in itself; it must improve safety and reduce the workload.”

How important do you think collaboration with partners such as the province, municipalities, and tourism organizations is?

“That collaboration is crucial. Mobility only works well when the various modes of transportation are seamlessly integrated. Think of connections to bike routes, supplemental public transportation, and parking facilities on the outskirts of the city. Collaboration is also needed for tourist connections. The region has great potential, and together we can add a lot of value there.”

What would you like to do for our travelers and employees?

“I want to build on the work of Peter Waterman and the team. Aqualiner has become more stable and reliable in recent years, and that is the foundation. My goal is to maintain that foundation while also developing new opportunities that benefit both passengers and employees. In addition, I see opportunities for connections to unique destinations, such as Kinderdijk. The region offers many possibilities that we intend to further capitalize on in the coming years.”

About Aqualiner

When you’re on the go, your destination is the main focus. But no matter where you’re headed, you want to get there efficiently and enjoyably. And that’s exactly what Aqualiner provides. With Waterbus, WaterShuttle, and VMR in the Netherlands, we offer everyone high-quality, safe, and accessible transportation on inland waterways. Whether you’re heading to work, school, or on a day trip, we’ll take you to your destination!

About Johan de Haas

“I was born in Rotterdam, grew up on Lindtsedijk in Zwijndrecht, and now live in Dordrecht with my wife Mirjam and our two children, Lisa (13) and Leon (10). As a result, I know the region well.

"In my free time, I like to tinker with technology, whether that’s doing home improvement projects or working on motorcycles and boats. I also try to go for a bike ride or a run every so often, though unfortunately, I don’t always manage to do that."