ABOUT US
BUILDING COOPERATIONS – UTILISING SYNERGIES
OUR STRUCTURE
WHERE WE COME FROM AND WHO WE ARE.
We are a non-profit organisation that was founded in 2010 by the County of Leer and the shipowners Alfred Hartmann and Herrmann Buss (who have since left the company) to strengthen Leer as a shipping location. MARIKO GmbH is located on the Maritime Campus in the immediate vicinity of the Department of Maritime Studies and Maritime Science at Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences and Nautitec GmbH & Co. KG, which operates a ship handling simulator.
Our activities can be divided into two main areas: Projects in combination with knowledge transfer and maritime safety training.
The Projects area involves initiating and supporting regional, national and international research and cooperation projects, which we often carry out in a German-Dutch constellation, particularly on innovation topics. Thematically, we are currently focusing on green shipping, digitalisation in the maritime industry and the recruitment of “Young Maritime Talents”. We organise a large number of events on these topics in a wide variety of formats. Among other things, we have a conference room in the MARIKO building in Bergmannstraße that can accommodate around 200 people. These rooms can also be booked by external organisations and companies. Reservations can be made via the Leer County Council’s building management (contact here).
The Maritime Training department at the port of Leer offers safety courses for seafarers and shipboard personnel in accordance with STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping). There is an extensive infrastructure for theoretical and practical instruction.
OUR TEAM
Katja Baumann
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Katja Baumann has a degree in environmental science and has been employed at MARIKO GmbH since 2012. In addition to managing the company, Katja is particularly involved in the initiation and support of innovation projects and supports companies with regard to various innovation topics and the acquisition of funding. The topic of knowledge transfer with various event formats is also at the top of her agenda.
Phone
katja.baumann@mariko-leer.de
Katja Baumann
Ralf Bock
FINANCE AND FUNDING MANAGER
Ralf Bock is our clever mind in finance. After completing his bachelor’s degree with a focus on controlling and accounting, Ralf has gained an unbeatable amount of experience in the development and handling of funding projects since joining MARIKO GmbH in 2011. Ralf always keeps his cool, especially when it comes to numbers, but is also very familiar with many other issues.
Phone
+49 (0) 491 926-1176
ralf.bock@mariko-leer.de
Ralf Bock
Felix Agostini
PROJECT MANAGER GREENSHIPPING
Felix Agostini studied business administration and sports management (M.A.) and has been working at MARIKO GmbH since 2023. He brings a wealth of experience in the areas of sustainability and human resources to our work and, as a passionate athlete, knows how important teamwork, the enthusiasm of young people, and openness to new ideas are in times of rapid change.
Phone
+49 (0) 491 926-1173
felix.agostini@mariko-leer.de
Felix Agostini
Sören Berg
PROJECT AND TEAM LEADER GREENSHIPPING
Sören Berg holds a Master of Engineering and has been contributing his extensive expertise to the company since 2019. Sören’s focus is on green shipping applications and innovation topics in shipbuilding and operational technology. Sören currently manages various projects in the context of alternative fuels and propulsion systems, among other things, and always maintains an overview thanks to his project management experience.
Phone
soeren.berg@mariko-leer.de
Sören Berg
Jörg Bontjer
PROJECT AND TEAM LEADER DIGITALISATION
HEAD OF MARITIME TRAINING
Jörg Bontjer graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science before taking over the IT management of a medium-sized shipping company for five years. This was followed by 15 years as CEO of a medium-sized IT service provider specialising in software development for the maritime industry and supplying hardware and software as a distributor. Today, Jörg is head of training and further education as well as IT projects at MARIKO GmbH. He combines in-depth knowledge and many years of experience in IT and shipping.
Phone
joerg.bontjer@mariko-leer.de
Jörg Bontjer
Julia Burakov
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Julia Burakov completed her bachelor’s degree with a focus on marketing and sales. As Marketing and Communications Manager at MARIKO, she has been contributing her experience from various industries since 2019. Her main focus is on the transfer of expertise and knowledge from the numerous innovation projects in the maritime industry. Julia is an experienced organiser of a wide variety of event formats: workshops, international symposia and excursions – Julia can do it!
Phone
+49 (0) 491 926-1183
julia.burakov@mariko-leer.de
Julia Burakov
CARSTEN BÜTTNER
TRAINER
Carsten Büttner has been working in the Maritime Training department at MARIKO GmbH since 2015 and has been a dedicated contributor to building this branch. He is extremely familiar with the training infrastructure and facilities and has also been working as a trainer for several years. He is particularly passionate about conducting Basic Safety Training courses. With his expertise and warmth, he introduces even newcomers to the elements of air, water, and fire and has so far brought everyone back to earth (on dry land) unharmed.
Phone
carsten.buettner@mariko-leer.de
Julia Eilers
Projectmanager
Julia Eilers is a qualified shipping clerk and, with her ten years of professional experience in crewing, brings valuable knowledge of the maritime industry. After several years in the insurance industry, she is now returning to the maritime world as a project manager at MARIKO GmbH. Through her involvement in the “Women on Board” project, Julia is actively committed to promoting women in the maritime industry. Her expertise and dedication contribute to strengthening diversity and equal opportunities on the high seas.
Phone
+49 (0) 491 926 1906
julia.eilers@mariko-leer.de
Julia Eilers
Mario Franck
Maintenance & Repair
Mario Franck has been working in the Maritime Training department since 2024 and is responsible for the maintenance and repair of our facilities. Before joining MARIKO GmbH, Mario worked for many years as a service technician, which gives him extensive knowledge in the assembly, commissioning, maintenance, and repair of technical systems. With his experience, he ensures that our infrastructure is always in top condition and that all training sessions run smoothly. His commitment and expertise play a key role in providing our participants with safe and efficient training environments.
Phone
+49 (0) 491 45 45 46 28
mario.franck@mariko-leer.de
Bettina Lixfeld
TEAM ASSISTANT
Bettina Lixfeld has worked in almost every area of the maritime industry: from maritime law and crew management in Cyprus to teaching maritime English and organizing maritime training courses. She now supports MARIKO GmbH as a team assistant. All administrative matters, human resources, contractual matters, quality management issues, the organization of employee training, and—very important!—team events, as well as many other areas in which Bettina supports the team, are in good hands.
Phone
+49 (0) 491 926-1117
bettina.lixfeld@mariko-leer.de
Bettina Lixfeld
Inga Willuhn
TEAM ASSISTANT MARITIME TRAINING
Inga Willuhn is a trained hotel manager and started her career in the maritime environment as a secretary on the “MS Emsstrom”, which was known as a training ship in Leer harbour for 15 years. In 2013, MARIKO GmbH took over the training concept, including some of the training equipment, and was also able to recruit Inga as an employee for Maritime Training. Since then, Inga has been responsible for the complete administration of the participants – from registration to invoicing.
Phone
+49 (0) 491 45 45 46 28
inga.willuhn@mariko-leer.de
Sina Wocken
TEAM ASSISTANT
Sina has been employed at MARIKO GmbH since the company was founded in 2009 and has been back in the MARIKO team since August 2021 following her parental leave. Sina supports the company as a team assistant, primarily with events, marketing and communication. She also provides organisational support for project management and the work of the Strategierat Maritime Wirtschaft Weser-Ems.
Phone
+49 (0) 491 926 -1178
sina.wocken@mariko-leer.de
Sina Wocken
PARTNERS & NETWORKS
“EACH INDIVIDUAL IS A DROP, TOGETHER WE ARE A SEA.”
We have a huge network of companies and knowledge institutions not only in the region, but also at a national and international level. We work with some of them on a selective, topic- or project-based basis, while we have structural links with others. These include:
EMS DOLLART REGION (EDR)
The EDR operates as a cross-border, public-law association with members from various provinces and regions and serves as a meeting centre for German-Dutch events and projects. The EDR has established itself as the first port of call for issues relating to cross-border co-operation and works to promote common interests in spatial planning, infrastructure, economic development and culture.
FACULTY OF MARITIME SCIENCES AT EMDEN/LEER UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Eine in wissenschaftlicher und technischer Hinsicht äußerst moderne und renommierte Ausbildungsstätte für Führungskräfte in der kommerziellen Seeschifffahrt und der maritimen Wirtschaft. Hier können die Studiengänge Nautik und Seeverkehr, Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen Maritime Wissenschaften sowie der Masterstudiengang Maritime Operations absolviert werden.
FME
FME is a Dutch business organisation for the technology sector and also the largest network organisation within this sector. Its members are technology start-ups, trading companies, small and medium-sized industry and large-scale industry/multinationals active in the metal, electronics, electrical engineering and plastics sectors.
FRAUNHOFER INSTITUTE FOR WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS (IWES)
The Fraunhofer IWES is a central research institute. A hallmark of IWES is its globally unique testing infrastructure, which enables large-scale tests to validate models of new rotor blade, nacelle, support structure and bearing designs. The consistent focus on industry-relevant topics and the development of well-founded areas of expertise have made the institute a recognised research partner of the market leaders in the wind industry.
H2 OSTFRIESLAND
Die Initiative fördert regionale Kooperationen zur Entwicklung einer grünen Wasserstoffwirtschaft in Ostfriesland. Durch die Vernetzung von Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Gebietskörperschaften sollen unternehmerische Wasserstoffaktivitäten regional unterstützt, Projekte gemeinsam entwickelt und eine regionale Handlungsfähigkeit und Ansprechbarkeit Ostfrieslands zur Wasserstoffentwicklung hergestellt werden.
INTERNATIONAL WINDSHIP ASSOCIATION (IWSA)
The IWSA is a non-profit membership organisation. The mission of the association is to promote the use of wind turbines in commercial shipping in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions associated with climate change.
NAUTITEC GMBH & CO. KG
Has been supporting maritime education in Leer since 2007 and promotes young students who want to start a career at sea, e.g. through training and research projects. NAUTITEC also offers various training courses for seafarers, for which five TRANSAS simulation bridges and modelling tools for port areas and ship models are available.
STRATEGIERAT MARITIME WIRTSCHAFT WESER-EMS
With the joint project “Knowledge Networking in Weser-Ems 2020”, a regional strategy was developed under the leadership of the consortium of county councils and district-free cities in Weser-Ems in order to move successfully into the future together. A large number of future fields of action and projects have been developed for the three areas of expertise bioeconomy, energy and maritime economy.
WACHSTUMSREGION EMS-ACHSE E.V.
The Ems-Achse is the strongest network in the north-west. In various competence centres, many entrepreneurs and other stakeholders work on a voluntary basis to develop projects and implement them as quickly as possible. Each local authority has identified a key topic for itself, which it is in charge of. The “Maritime Verbundwirtschaft” competence centre in the Ems-Achse is represented by MARIKO GmbH in Leer.
HAFENWIRTSCHAFTSVEREINIGUNG LK LEER E.V.
Die Hafenwirtschaftsvereinigung bündelt und vertritt die Interessen der Hafenwirtschaftsbetriebe und der Häfen im Landkreis Leer.