Koert Bloemers talks with Jeff about what it really takes to run logistics across Europe.

In this episode, Koert walks through his journey from consolidation work across Asia to operational leadership in the Middle East (including large-scale US government logistics), then back to Europe to run major transport and control-tower operations, before launching Van Express in 2023.

The conversation goes deep into what makes European logistics unique: dozens of languages, cross-border realities, EU-driven regulations, and the operational discipline required to protect drivers while still keeping supply chains moving. Koert also shares why 2026 will be a turning point (especially for vans), and what “support” should actually look like—beyond just telling drivers what they can’t do.

What you’ll learn from Koert Bloemers

• How Koert went from textile consolidation across Asia to building a career in high-stakes global logistics (and why he fell in love with supply chain).
  
  

• What it’s like to run operations at scale—managing large networks, hundreds of drivers, and mission-critical supply flows under serious pressure.
  
  

• Why European logistics is different: multiple languages, multiple mentalities, and why 3PLs often exist to make complexity disappear.
  
  

• How Van Express grew from 1 transport per day to 40–60 trucks dispatched daily, using relationships, carrier knowledge, and operational discipline.
  
  

• Why Koert built his own software and driver app for track & trace—and how that improves customer experience without burning out the ops team.
  
  

• What’s coming in 2026 EU transport regulation changes (including tachograph-related changes for vans) and why carriers will need support, not just restrictions.
  
  

• Why Koert refuses “race-to-the-bottom” pricing—and how respecting drivers and vetting carriers properly protects the entire supply chain.

This episode was recorded on December 23^rd, 2025

Host: Jeff Berlin, Trucknology

Guest: Koert Bloemers, Founder of Van Express

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Recorded for the Truckology Podcast. Watch the video / listen to the full episode

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