Luc Huysmans
Founding Father
Meet the dedicated team behind our global network, bringing decades of expertise and a passion for connecting logistics professionals worldwide.
After finalizing his college degree, Luc started his logistic career in the early ‘80s as a shipping clerk and developed his skills into project shipment and chartering for multiple breakbulk shipping lines. He remained active in the shipping industry until 1993 when he was invited to become director of a well-known forwarding company in Antwerp, founded in 1918 as a part of the VanUden Group in Rotterdam. After realizing a management buyout in 1993, Luc at the same time obtained the ownership of another Antwerp forwarding company with a 50 years logistic tradition in the local Antwerp market.
Five years later, Luc and his partners created the Atlas International Network together with their life time mentor, Issa Baluch, former FIATA president and owner of Swift Freight in Dubai. Since 2013, Luc has taken full responsibility of the daily management of the Atlas International Network.
Founding Father
Lyanne started her Executive Management studies at Karel de Grote Hogeschool in Antwerp. Everything in the training revolved around organization and management. During the training, she developed an eye for profit, business processes and communication management in different languages.
For her senior year, Lyanne went to Valencia, Spain to finish the last year of her studies. All classes followed there, were taught in Spanish. This has allowed her to improve her Spanish skills significantly.
After her studies, she first did an internship in a qualified hospital in Belgium, where she worked as a supervisor on the quality and accreditation department. There, she learned to manage and train teams in executing new procedures and applications.
Upon joining the Atlas International Network, she developed her accounting knowledge further and besides business development, she is now also responsible for the accountancy. She is also engaged in event and project management and knows all the ins and outs.
Managing Director
After my one-year education in New Zealand, I studied logistics management for 3 years at the Karel De Grote Hogeschool.
After that, I started my logistic career at Atlantic Container Line. A specialized transatlantic carrier of containers, project and oversized cargo. In these 5 years, I have had the opportunity to discover all aspects and challenges of the import and export side. In 2017, I made the change to the Atlas International Network as Event & Business Coordinator.
Working together with members from all over the globe has been a wonderful experience. I have been fortunate to have met many of our members in person during our annual conferences.
Which I believe is one of the highlights of the Atlas International Network. I’m convinced that our team has the capability to strengthen en enlarge the Atlas International Network by constantly looking for better and new benefits for our members.
Event & Business Coordinator
Maria started her Economics studies at Alexandru I. Cuza University in Iasi, Romania. After 3 years, she developed an interest in sales and started her career in a small business as a Sales Representative. During her time there, she had the opportunity to discover all aspects of the sales market.
In 2022, Maria came to Belgium and after few months of language lessons, she became part of the Atlas International Network.
‘’Atlas offered me the opportunity to develop my sales skills and to meet people from all over the world in person during the conferences, which makes me really thankful to be part of such a big family. I believe that together with our members, we can create a wonderful and strong future.’’
Sales & Membership Services
Freya had a four-year education major in English literature at Nankai University of Tianjin, China.
After her first work experience with Maersk Line as a customer service representative, Freya entered the freight forwarding industry by working for China Merchants Logistics Group for over 9 years. She was responsible for customer service, operation and communication with shipping lines. Over the years, she got a better understanding of the freight forwarding industry, especially sea freight services. And later on, she moved to Dalian City in China, where she worked as regional manager for JCtrans Network for 6 years.
In 2023, she joined the Atlas International Network and operates out of Dalian City, China.
Sales & Membership Services
Geert was born in Belgium, and after starting his career as assistant-line manager and line manager for Intership Europe, he moved to Alexandria/Egypt as representative for the same shipping company. After 4 years of looking at the pyramids, Geert headed towards Dubai, where he set up the Asian agency network for a local NVOCC (North Africa Shipping Co) focused on business to Libya. After 3 years he joined Triangle Shipping (a division of Barwil) as branch manager.
Another 2 years later, Geert became business development manager for Barwil Vietnam. He fell in love with the country, and after a while started up his own freight forwarding company. Up to this moment, Geert is still residing in Vietnam. In 2015, he joined the Atlas International Network as VP Asia and operates out of Ho Chi Minh City.
Sea & Air Expert
With a true shipping and logistics veteran at the helm, Apollo is in safe hands. For example, he was the Antwerp MD of the West African Liner Agency, ASECO and Safmarine Belgium. He also lead the Safmarine MVP liner service (owned by Maersk Group) and has been a Board Member of several umbrella organizations, such as the Antwerp Shipping Federation, Seagha and Portilog.
In 2008, Albert started operating as an independent consultant for, among others, the Antwerp Port Authority, an oil major, Sarens and CMC Ltd (a Tata Group Company).
Furthermore, he is one of the three Founding Father of Breakbulk Europe, a Director of PICS Belgium, the Belgian integrated supply chain society.
Project & Breakbulk expert
Axel started his career in transport and logistics in 1979 as apprentice in a haulage company in Osnabrück. Later he went to school again and finished European Business Studies at Osnabrück University.
1989 he went up North to Hamburg. Hapag-Lloyd, HHLA, Cellpap Terminal Hamburg were his next steps in Hamburg shipping and port community. Thereafter he was General Manager for German branch office of a Norwegian shipping line and was Managing Director of a smaller Hamburg based forwarding company.
Since 2017 Axel is working as freelance consultant especially doing sales and business development in logistics. He joined Atlas International Network in July 2024.
Sea Freight Expert
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