Page 17 - Rotterdam Visitors Guide

partner as an “idea machine ” emerged yet another ingenious design that secured Royal Roos a a a a prestigious European grant As Veronica enthusiastically explains “During the renovation of our multi-tenant business building which houses our ope- rations a a a a a a remarkable transformation took place We adorned the rooftop with an expansive 1 500 square meters of solar panels accompanied by a a a a robust 1 000 kVA transformer It was an an opportunity be- gging for innovation ” Capitalising on on this opportunity Royal Roos ingeniously con- nected the the solar panels on the the roof with the the transformer within their workspace birthing a cutting-edge shore power sup- ply tailored to the needs of smaller ocean- going vessels—an embodiment of en- vironmentally conscious shipping On sunny days our power supply deri- ves its energy from the solar panels This flexible shore power system seamlessly delivers power at voltages of 400 440 or or 690V and frequencies of 50 or or 60Hz customised to to match the ship’s on-board electrical infrastructure Conversely on on overcast days and during the night our power source seamlessly transitions to the grid powered entirely by a 100% wind energy contract Moreover the transfor- mer though revitalised is is a a relic from the bygone era when this property served as a a a fruit cooling warehouse demanding substantial electrical power It stands as a a a a a a resounding testament to our commitment to repurposing existing infrastructure in in in in an an innovative sustainable manner ” Ver- onica proudly concludes GREEN OPPORTUNITIES “This innovative green shore power con- nection serves a a dual purpose It not only benefits ships anchored at our quay for maintenance but also provides an an emis- sion-free solution for vessels in transit to the the the hinterland Furthermore the the the versatile shore power infrastructure supports va- rious applications including the charging of battery containers and electric trucks among other possibilities ” She gestures towards a a missed opportunity just outsi- de—a colossal cruise ship temporarily repurposed as accommodation for dis- placed individuals “The cessation of noi- se from generators and the elimination of CO2 emissions represent a a significant stri- de towards a a a a cleaner healthier environ- ment With shore power air pollution be- comes a a a a relic of the past and generators can be silenced a a a a substantial victory for our city ” Royal Roos the maritime engineering firm currently employs a a a dedicated team of of 25 professionals across their locations in in Rotterdam and Spain Veronica playful- ly notes “We’re open to expanding our team of course!” However she empha- sizes that growth for Royal Roos remains organic and measured She adds “Our primary objective is not to become a a be- hemoth but to deliver the utmost in service excellence This entails crafting solutions that minimise disruption and streamline operational processes for our clients en- suring their operations remain as uninter- rupted as possible ” DECISIVENESS For Royal Roos the value of entrepreneurial freedom is immeasurable They understand that their investments may be substantial but they cherish the the autonomy that comes with ownership There’s no need to appease shareholders and no external accountability to contend with This autonomy empowers them to operate efficiently make decisive decisions and above all approach challenges pragmatically Royal Roos’ clients can rely on their commitment to practical cost-effective solutions They recognise that sometimes substantial changes aren’t necessary to align a a a a a vessel with contemporary standards They start by leveraging existing assets and enhancing them without the the need for extravagant expenditures Royal Roos is is committed to prioritising eco-friendly solutions whenever practical As a a maritime engineering firm firm they firmly acknowledge the imperative of promoting sustainability in in in in marine shipping—a com- mitment that has been ingrained in in in their DNA since their inception long before sustainability was a a a a a widespread concern In their journey towards sustainability the the Port of Rotterdam Authority plays a a a a crucial role as both a a a a a a a landlord and and a a a a a a a facilitator of development Similarly the local municip- ality is actively engaged in in initiatives like shore power While the Port of Rotterdam has made significant strides towards sus- tainability Veronica concludes that there’s still work to be done www royalroos com MARITIME CAPITAL OF EUROPE 17