Kenneth Breugelmans

Data Scientist | Builder at Heart | Applying ML, Engineering & Operational Experience to Transform Terminal Operations

 

 

About

I’ve spent years on the floor of one of Europe’s busiest container terminals — operating quay cranes, driving straddle carriers, managing live cargo flows. I became a data scientist because I saw what better information could do for operations that still run largely on instinct and experience.

Today I work at the intersection of heavy industry and modern data engineering: building integration layers for legacy terminal operating systems, designing digital twins that make real-time operations legible, and implementing reinforcement learning models for container optimization.

I don’t do mystery. You’ll know what I’m building, why, and where it stands. I ask uncomfortable questions early so they don’t become expensive problems later. If you need someone who understands your operations before touching your data, we’ll get along well.

 

 

Expertise

Domain Knowledge: Over a decade of hands-on experience across the full operational hierarchy of a large container terminal — from dockworker to straddle carrier driver to quay crane operator. I understand the workflows, constraints, and failure modes that don’t appear in any manual.

Data Science & ML: Machine learning, predictive modeling, and reinforcement learning applied to real operational problems — not benchmarks.

Systems & Engineering: Integration architecture connecting legacy TOS infrastructure with modern applications. Full-stack development, CAD design, and a builder’s instinct for making things work end to end.

 

 

Toolbox

Programming Languages:

Python | Mojo | SQL | JS | C# | Java | Kotlin | GCODE

Data Processing & Pipelines:

Pandas | Polars | DuckDB | Dask | Numpy | Scikit-Learn | OpenCV

Data Visualisation:

Matplotlib | Plotly | Seaborn | Folium | Tableau | PowerBi

ML modelling:

XGBoost | YDF | LightGBM | CatBoost | FastAi | PyTorch | Lightning AI | Optuna | SHAP

Web & Publication:

Flask | Streamlit | Deck GL | HTML | Bootstrap | Vue | Quarto

Cloud:

Microsoft Azure | Google Cloud | Amazon aws

Engineering & Simulation:

Unity | Autodesk Fusion 360 | Autodesk Inventor | Onshape | SketchUp!

 

 

Career Timeline

present
Jul 2024
Current role

Data Scientist

MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) · Antwerp

Building ML pipelines, RL models for container optimisation, systems integration for legacy TOS infrastructure, and a real-time digital twin for operational decision-making.

Sep 2024
May 2023
Education

Data Science

Turing College · Online

Intensive professional programme covering machine learning, data engineering, and applied statistics — completed while working full-time as a crane operator.

Jul 2024
Aug 2019

Ship-to-Shore Crane Operator

MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) · Antwerp

Operating single and dual hoist cranes on some of the world's largest container vessels. Collaborated with technical teams on complex software and hardware troubleshooting.

Aug 2019
Aug 2017

Straddle Carrier Operator

MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) · Antwerp

Container transport and yard logistics across complex terminal layouts. Responsible for equipment reliability checks and coordination with maintenance teams.

Jul 2024
Sep 2015

Dock Worker

CEPA · Antwerp

Container preparation, discharge coordination, and crane guidance under limited visibility conditions. Specialised in twistlock troubleshooting and live operational problem-solving.

Sep 2015
Mar 2013

Production Operator

Xtraflex · Lier

Custom Teflon hose fabrication to tight tolerances. Managed the Trax racing store, building bespoke brake lines for classic cars, rally cars, and racing motorcycles.

Aug-Sep 2011
Jul-Aug 2010

Operator (summer job while studying)

Atlas Copco Airpower · Antwerp

Installation of custom electrical modules into industrial compressors according to client specifications.