STEAM MARINE TEAM
Steam Marine is an enterprise specializing in ports, logistics, dredging, marine construction, shipbuilding, ship recycling, waste management, carbon credits, net-zero solutions, environmental sustainability, community well-being, quality of life, and cultural preservation. Our mission is to transform the socio-economic and environmental landscape of Lesser Developed Countries (LDCs) through capacity-building, the transfer of skills to ensure the adoption of Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), and technology transfer to enhance sustainable development and economic self-sufficiency by creating employment opportunities and developing asset management.
Many developing nations face critical challenges in the infrastructure sectors, including inefficiencies, environmental degradation, social impacts and reliance on foreign expertise which can drain foreign exchange reserves, create debt, increase the tax burden, and undermine economic growth.
Steam Marine offers a scalable, sustainable solution that seeks to enhance capacity building and job creation to contribute towards the generation of long-term economic value for the LDCs.
Based on our experience in Bangladesh, Pakistan, The Maldives and the Caribbean, we want to offer our integrated approach and our expertise in executing projects in line with Good International Industry Practice to the wider world. We have a very experienced team of professionals with a combined experience of over 300 years in the industry.
JONATHAN MUNRO FORD
Jonathan Munro Ford, Chairman & Founder, began his career in engineering in the field of fire protection for offshore petroleum industries with Wormald International in Australia. He transferred to the UK after the Wormald acquisition of Mather & Platt Plc in the 70’s eventually gaining responsibility for the Middle Eastern arm which over the next 7 years he helped grow from an annual turnover of £3 million to over £76 million.
Subsequently Jonathan acquired Eagle international Group and moved on to other sectors including turn-key design and power generation. Jonathan is currently Chairman of Taylor Power Holdings Ltd, specialising in green energy such as Hydroelectric, Solar, Wind and Hydrogen. Eagle International Capital also recently acquired Ford Werner Capital as part of its financial portfolio.
As Chairman and founder of the Eagle Group Jonathan has focused his business mainly in the Asian developing and emerging markets particularly India, Bangladesh & Pakistan with further activities in both Australasia and Europe.
ROBBY VAN DEN BRANDEN
The operations are managed by Robby Van Den Branden, Chief Operating Officer. Robby is a Belgian national with 40+ years of hands-on experience in dredging operations, vessel newbuilds, shipyards, and marine equipment lifecycle management. He spent the majority of his career with one of the world’s largest Belgian dredging companies and has led newbuilding, refurbishment, and operations of dredging fleets worldwide.
He has managed projects across Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas and is currently COO of a major shipyard in the UAE. His expertise covers cutter suction dredgers, hopper dredgers, offshore vessels, LNG and dual-fuel systems, and green ship recycling in compliance with international conventions.
ANDREW PORDAGE
Andrew is a senior international business leader with more than
30 years’ commercial and financial experience, having held CFO, Managing Director and senior strategic leadership roles across established international organisations, high-growth businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Andrew combines deep financial expertise with extensive experience in corporate strategy, investment, funding, business transformation and governance.
He is also highly experienced in developing and managing complex commercial relationships, bringing together clients, investors, partners and other stakeholders to build strong, sustainable relationships and deliver successful commercial outcomes.
As a Director of Steam Marine and member of its Investment Committee, Andrew plays an active role in shaping strategy, evaluating and structuring major international opportunities, investment and funding decisions, and establishing the commercial and governance frameworks required for successful delivery.
NYNKE VENEMA
Nynke Venema, Chief Technical Officer, is heading the Engineering Department which provides a full range of environmental and engineering services, and which has access to the best multi-disciplinary environmental and engineering experts who seek to address technical and regulatory concerns to add value, minimize risk, and ensure compliance for the development of project activities. Nynke has more than 25 years of experience in project management, onshore and offshore environmental and social management of projects to Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) and Lenders’ requirements. She works in various
sectors including mining and waste management, energy renewables, on- and offshore oil and gas, pipelines, BESS, IWPP), infrastructure (ports, highways, railways), water and sanitation, and apparel.
She works with financial institutions signatory to the Equator Principles, corporate clients and governments to facilitate international project finance and ensure successful financial close. She works on Public-Private Partnerships and private projects financed by the IFC, World Bank, UK Export Finance (UKEF), EXIM, FMO, EBRD, EIB, Swiss Export Risk Insurance Serv, Commerzbank, Investec, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, KfW Bankengruppe, Barclays, Standard (Stanbic) Bank, InfraCo Africa. Nynke has extensive international experience leading and managing bankable ESHIAs and accompanying HSSE management and monitoring systems. She engages with people from all walks of life and is multilingual (Dutch, English, French, Italian, Spanish).
CHRISTOPHER ALLEN
Christopher Allen, Operations Manager, is an experienced marine and heavy engineering professional with international expertise across offshore operations, shipyard management, marine construction, dredging support, heavy lifting, fabrication management, and technical project delivery. He has worked throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and North America supporting complex marine and infrastructure projects involving vessel operations, modular construction, floating infrastructure, and offshore engineering solutions.
He is recognized for his practical operational leadership, problem-solving approach, and ability to manage technically demanding projects under challenging conditions while coordinating multidisciplinary teams across engineering, fabrication, logistics, and marine operations. Christopher also brings experience in engineering innovation and operational development through his involvement in advanced marine and aerospace safety technologies.
His experience combines hands-on field execution with strategic operational management, supporting international projects in line with Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), safety excellence, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainable value creation.