Farewell: WHV e.V. President John H. Niemann retires after 40 years on the Board. On the founding day of the Wilhelmshavener Hafenwirtschafts-Vereinigung e.V. (WHV e.V.), April 15, John H. Niemann hands over the management of the association to Andreas Bullwinkel. This change marks a significant moment in Wilhelmshaven's maritime economic history.

When John H. Niemann hands over the office of President to Andreas Bullwinkel on April 15, 2025, the 40th anniversary of the Wilhelmshavener Hafenwirtschafts-Vereinigung e.V. (WHV e.V.), an era will come to an end. Niemann has shaped the association for 40 years - as a founding board member, as a driving force, as someone who not only understands maritime business, but lives it. "John leaves behind big footsteps. He has managed to inspire people with many new, forward-looking ideas - with vision, perseverance and genuine interest," emphasizes Bullwinkel.

A large ceremony at the Hotel Atlantic in Wilhelmshaven will therefore not only celebrate the founding day of WHV e.V., but above all honor Niemann's life's work, who was awarded the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of Lower Saxony in 2014 for his commitment to the maritime industry.

Recognition

Mayor Carsten Feist, Lower Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs and designated Prime Minister Olaf Lies, the President of the German Shipowners' Association, Dr. Gaby Bornheim, and the President of the Oldenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Jan Müller, will give the welcoming addresses against this backdrop. The evening will be moderated by the managing editor of DVV Media Group GmbH, Tim-Oliver Frische.

Passion

"I have been very fortunate to work with many dedicated people - especially our members and our WHV e.V. crew. Without them, WHV e.V. would not be what it is today." John H. Niemann never tires of emphasizing this. But there is no denying it: His commitment has made the association visible far beyond Wilhelmshaven. Since 1985, he has been building beneficial networks and representing the interests of the port industry with a clear voice.

A talent that he was born with. Niemann comes from Bremen and his roots lie in shipping: “You have to know where you come from in order to understand where you want to go.” The son of a shipping and shipping-related family brought this eye for the essentials to WHV e.V.. Under his leadership, the association developed into a strong platform for companies, politics and society.

Pulse generator

WHV e.V. began in 1985 as a small network with 24 founding members and has since grown to around 160 members. It has developed into a powerful lobby for the maritime industry. As a result, it supports important infrastructure projects and ensures that Wilhelmshaven is recognized nationally and internationally as a port location.

The association's success story is reflected in the development of Wilhelmshaven as a location. Ideas such as the JadeWeserPort and the LNG terminal, for which the association campaigned for almost four decades, originated from WHV e.V.. Today, Wilhelmshaven presents itself as one of Germany's energy hubs - with clear prospects for green energy.

A development that goes back to the “Energy Hub 2.0”, of which WHV e.V. is one of the initiators. This has since evolved into the “Energy Hub Port of Wilhelmshaven”. Furthermore, the location - also thanks to the commitment of Wilhelmshavener Hafenwirtschafts-Vereinigung e.V. - now boasts modern port infrastructure as well as a flourishing inner port and JadeWeserPort.

Outlook

Andreas Bullwinkel, a long-time companion of Niemann's, takes over the helm. The two Bremen natives have known each other for decades and trained as shipping agents at the same shipping company. “Down-to-earth, reliable, always with a focus on the future - that has shaped us,” says Bullwinkel, who not only successfully built up Seaports of Niedersachsen GmbH, but also Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven JadeWeserPort-Marketing GmbH & Co.

He himself describes the change of office as follows: "It is an opportunity to continue along proven paths and at the same time break new ground. Thanks to the dedicated team at WHV e.V., I am confident that we will achieve a lot together for the benefit of the port location."

Extra box Chronicle

A look back to the future

As we all know, 40 years is not yet an anniversary. But it is definitely a milestone, especially when you are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of Wilhelmshavener Hafenwirtschafts-Vereinigung e.V. (WHV e.V.). However, the special thing about it is not the date, but the constellation. WHV e.V. President John H. Niemann has been on the association's board since April 15, 1985. After 40 years, he is now handing over the helm to his fellow board member and successor Andreas Bullwinkel.

This provided the impetus for the current WHV e.V. chronicle. John H. Niemann describes the work as follows: "It is a look at the past, and at the same time at what still lies ahead. Why this is so will become clear to you at the end of this book. There you will find our new image brochure, which is both a legacy and a guide to the future."