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Our Vision
Shaping the future of ship recycling with industrialized, automated, and sustainable dismantling methods—ensuring safety, profitability, and the recovery of high-quality, homogeneous scrap steel for a circular economy.
Our Mission
At Marine Metals we are redefining ship dismantling, making it circular, safe and profitable. At our dismantling yards, we deploy and innovate proven technologies to efficiently transform ships into high-quality materials—primarily clean, homogeneous steel. That’s why we don’t call it scrapping, but dismantling. We are on a mission for the maritime sector, the steel industry, workers and the environment:
For the Maritime Sector
Provide sustainable, high-standard recycling solutions for large ships.
For the Steel Industry
Supply high-quality, traceable recycled steel that supports sustainability goals and reduces carbon footprint.
For Workers
Ensure a safe and fair work environment with competitive wages and proper safety gear.
For Environment & Society
Minimize environmental impact, manage waste, recover steel, and support local communities.
Our Team
Frank Geerdink
Founder & CTO
Frank Geerdink is a Dutch entrepreneur and founder of Circular Maritime Technology International (CMT Int.). With a background in telecom, oil & gas, and safety technologies, he has built and sold several successful companies across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Since 2015, Frank has focused on revolutionizing ship recycling through innovative, safe, and circular dismantling systems. A former military police officer, licensed pilot, and offshore sailor, he brings discipline, technical expertise, and global insight to every venture. Frank also serves on several boards and is committed to sustainable industry development and empowering future generations.
Hugo de Stoop
CEO
Hugo De Stoop, a seasoned business leader with over three decades of experience, has been instrumental in driving strategic growth and operational excellence in the shipping and energy sectors. As the former CFO and later CEO of Euronav, the world’s largest independent crude oil tanker company at the time, Hugo led the company through major transformations, including successful M&A transactions and the company’s IPO on the NYSE. He championed sustainable business practices, fostering innovation, upholding corporate governance, and actively managing talent. His leadership will play a crucial role in guiding Marine Metals towards its goal of setting new industry standards.
Toufitri Akdime
CFO
Toufitri Akdime brings over 20 years of expertise in sustainable finance and decarbonization projects within the transportation and energy sectors. As a former senior leader at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Entrust Global, she has led multi-billion-dollar financing initiatives and pioneered sustainability-linked financial solutions. Her leadership and experience in structuring complex financing projects and fostering global partnerships will be key in driving Marine Metals' financial success and sustainability efforts.
Eric Boertje
DIRECTOR OPERATIONS
Eric Boertje is a seasoned operations leader with over 30 years of experience across maritime, energy, and industrial services. He has held senior roles at Ermewa, Pon Power, and Wärtsilä, overseeing operations, maintenance, and large-scale service teams across multiple subsidiaries. Eric brings a strong track record in driving operational excellence, cost optimization, and safety improvements. His leadership includes P&L responsibility for up to €60 million in turnover and 200+ staff. Holding licenses as Chief Engineer and 3rd Mate, he also earned an MSc in Business Administration. Eric is actively involved in industry working groups and European compliance initiatives.
Daniël Moolenburgh
Director Public Relations
Daniël Moolenburgh is a passionate innovator and strategic leader with over a decade of experience at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and business development. As Country Director for Enviu Netherlands, he led the creation of impactful ventures in mobility and reuse, securing over $20 million in non-dilutive funding. In previous roles at Arcadis, he shaped global innovation strategy and won $10 million in strategic bids. Holding dual Master’s degrees in Public Policy and Environmental Sciences, Daniël actively serves on the boards of cultural institutions like the world-renowned Festival of Early Music.
Our History
WHERE IT STARTED
The origins of Marine Metals date back to the fall of 2015, when Frank G. Geerdink initiated a collaboration between a crane company, an offshore services firm, and two engineering firms. He had designed a bold concept to lift ships out of the water and dismantle them by cutting them into slices, segments, and blocks. This early concept sparked interest across the industry.
WHERE IT STARTED
By 2017, several companies had reviewed the idea and contributed their expertise. While the concept was promising, it became clear that success would depend on optimizing every step of the process. That’s why Frank joined forces with impact venture building studio Enviu. A year later, in 2018, the technical design of a dismantling yard began to take shape, including detailed cost estimates for both civil and mechanical components, operational planning, and financial modeling.
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In parallel, the commercial case was being developed. Deep engagement with shipowners and steel producers revealed a strong, viable market need—and a business model that could work. Investor interest followed, and the project took on a more structured, professional framework to address the many challenges of setting up an industrial-scale dismantling facility.
What began as “Dutch Decom Services” (DDS) was renamed Circular Maritime Technologies (CMT) in 2018 and formally incorporated in 2022 by Frank and Enviu as Circular Maritime Technologies International BV. Many of the early technical partners remained involved and evolved into key suppliers of the project.
In 2023, Hugo De Stoop—after nearly two decades in the maritime industry and having witnessed the realities of shipbreaking—began exploring ways to improve ship dismantling through technology and automation. He teamed up with Toufitri Akdime, and together they founded Marine Steel with the goal of offering a cleaner, safer, and more efficient alternative to the industry’s status quo.
Towards the end of 2024, CMT successfully completed large-scale testing of its core wire-cutting technology—a high-precision process capable of slicing ships into blocks safely and efficiently. The tests confirmed both the cutting speed and durability of the wire, proving the process was ready for industrial deployment.
In early 2025, CMT and Marine Steel joined forces to form Marine Metals—combining CMT’s technical and operational expertise with Marine Steel’s strong business vision and strategic leadership. This merger marked a new chapter: scaling a proven concept into a full-fledged industrial solution for responsible ship recycling and high-quality steel recovery.
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