We’re proud to announce that Muhammed started working as a P&I Correspondent at Dutch P&I in April 2023.
This collaboration between Dutch P&I and Port of Opportunities has been a great success!
Finding a job that truly matches your ambitions can be a rollercoaster — especially when you’re still building a professional network in a new country.
After moving to the Netherlands, Muhammed earned his Master’s degree in Maritime and Transport Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam to further develop himself.
Once he graduated, he applied for positions in the maritime and legal sector to continue the career path he had started in Turkey.
Despite his six years of work experience, finding a suitable job proved difficult.
Muhammed’s Experience with Port of Opportunities
“Partnering with Port of Opportunities was a tremendous opportunity for me,” Muhammed shares.
“When I first met Max, the founder, I explained what kind of job I was looking for. He guided me very well and, thanks to his strong network, introduced me to Dutch P&I.”
Muhammed describes his work with clear enthusiasm:
“I find my role as a P&I Correspondent incredibly exciting and educational. Providing service to partners as a claims handler offers a very interactive and continuous learning process.
The best part is learning about new marine or maritime law cases.”
He continues:
“Even though I’ve only just started, I feel confident thanks to my teammates’ support and encouragement. Since I joined on April 3rd, I’ve felt part of the team. My colleagues and director supported me from day one, which made adapting much easier.”
Working for a Dutch company also taught Muhammed a lot about the local work culture:
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about Dutch business and culture. I admire how organized and determined Dutch people are at work — and how well they balance hard work with knowing how to have fun!”
The Company’s Perspective on the Collaboration
Nils Heijboer, Claims Director, reflects positively on the partnership with Port of Opportunities:
“Our organization has been a driving force in shipping for over 30 years. We’re a key platform in marine liability.
As a P&I Correspondent, Muhammed handles claims as a consultant and mediator. His strong background and motivation give him great potential in the maritime claims industry.”
“From his first interview, Muhammed made an excellent impression. It’s inspiring to see such an ambitious young man developing his career and professional skills. He meets all our expectations, and we hope to keep challenging him within the organization.”
Muhammed is also committed to integration:
“He’s putting great effort into learning Dutch, taking classes three times a week,” Nils adds.
Training and Work Culture
Like many Dutch companies, the insurer offers a flexible working model.
Adapting to a new workplace can be challenging, so the team made clear agreements about remote work to ensure proper training and supervision.
“That required some preparation,” Nils explains, “but it works very well. The outcome is absolutely worth it. Finding ambitious young talent in our industry is difficult, so we value this collaboration highly.”
Because the company operates internationally as a maritime knowledge centre, the partnership with Port of Opportunities felt like a perfect fit.
How the Collaboration Started
“Through our network of maritime lawyers and surveyors, we came across Port of Opportunities by coincidence,” Nils recalls.
“I strongly recommend other maritime companies to reach out to them. Their cost–quality ratio is outstanding.”
He continues:
“Even though you might want to keep such a valuable partner to yourself, I recommend sharing their expertise with others. Port of Opportunities helps the Dutch maritime industry attract bright new minds and raise quality standards.”
The Port of Opportunities Perspective
At Port of Opportunities, our mission is to help as many people as possible find their dream job.
When we first met Muhammed, we immediately noticed his ambition and passion for maritime law.
He had already found a job after finishing his master’s degree, but it didn’t align with his true interests or allow him to use his talents.
His enthusiasm for maritime law stood out.
After discussing his background with Nils from the company, it was clear there was a strong match.
Both sides enjoyed their first conversation — and soon after, the collaboration began.
“Nils and Muhammed, thank you both for your trust in us,” says the Port of Opportunities team.
“We’re proud to have connected you and to see how well this partnership turned out. Together for your future.”