Reefblocks: Conservation Results After Two Years Since Installation
In 2023, 17 Reefblocks were installed in the Port of Rotterdam’s busiest shipping channel near Rozenburg, creating the modular Rotterdam Reef. These concrete blocks form the backbone of a living reef. Each block, measuring 3 meters in length and weighing 6 tons, is designed to withstand heavy wave impacts while fostering a vibrant underwater landscape. Featuring tunnels, shaded passages, and rough textures, the structure creates a dynamic ecosystem where fish, crabs, and shrimp can thrive, offering protection for both coastlines and marine life.Reef in action with Maeslantkering in the backdrop.
TMC, Allseas Complete Initial Deepwater Trials of Polymetallic Nodule Collector Vehicle
, back in March, The Metals Company (TMC), a company extracting battery metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, said it had together with its strategic partner and shareholder, Allseas, completed the deployment and wet-test commissioning of their pilot robotic nodule collector vehicle at the Port of Rotterdam, in preparation for the deepwater testing in the Atlantic Ocean, which has now been completed, too.Describing the deepwater tests, TMC said:"Engineers successfully lowered the Allseas-designed collector vehicle to the seafloor at depths of 2,470 meters, marking the first time the vehicle
TMC, Allseas Wet-test Robotic Nodule Collector Vehicle in Port of Rotterdam
vessel and lowered to the seafloor.All critical functions of the pilot collector vehicle were successfully tested ahead of full pilot nodule collection trials in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean later this year, TMC said.During the harbor wet-test commissioning undertaken at the Port of Rotterdam, the Allseas-designed pilot collector vehicle underwent extensive equipment testing and all systems were shown to be fully functional. Key features and functions of the robotic vehicle including pumps, nozzles, manual and auto operating modes were successfully put through their paces while
Fugro Deploys Uncrewed Surface Vessel in The Netherlands
, leading to faster and more informed decision-making," Fugro said.René de Vries, Harbour Master of the Rotterdam Port Authority, said: “We welcome this special vessel in our port. It’s the first time a remotely controlled uncrewed vessel will go to the North Sea from the port of Rotterdam to carry out a project without any personnel on board. We are proud that this project will be executed safely due to the careful preparation of all parties involved. We expect the development of digitalization in the shipping sector will improve the safety and accessibility of the Rotterdam
Hydrex Ready to Mobilize at Port of Rotterdam
To enable a fast mobilization throughout the entire Rotterdam port without delaying a ship’s commercials operations, Hydrex dive support vessels are stationed in Rotterdam. These workboats are fully equipped with hydraulic cranes, winches, a dive spread and control room.This allows Hydrex to offer simple maintenance operations as well as repairs on all parts of the underwater ship propulsion system and the hull. Hydrex operations are class approved and carried out alongside or at anchorage while commercial activities continue without disruption. The company does this with qualified and
Robotic Hull Cleaning Advances in Dutch Ports
than 500 hull cleaning operations help propel ECOsubsea, the robotic hull cleaning system.The Dutch national regulatory body Rijkswaterstaat gave the Norwegian company the green light to start offering hull cleaning services to vessels at all Dutch Ports including Europe’s biggest port, the Port of Rotterdam, a move that is helping the firm solidify its position in Europe following similar permissions in Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Ghent and Southampton.“Ports want evidence that our system works,” said ECOsubsea CEO Tor Østervold. “We can now give it to them. They also want evidence
Rotterdam Port Intros TimeToBunker
The largest port in Europe, the Port of Rotterdam has introduced new app for bunkering notifications with which paperless bunkering and informing the Harbour Master and Customs possible in one go.TimeToBunker App is bunker barge operator tool for electronic bunkering notification. Maud Eijgendaal and Marc de Vries of the Port of Rotterdam Authority developed the new innovative application.Bunker specialists in the port of Rotterdam are obliged to notify the Port Authority and Customs prior to commencing each bunkering operation. These are practically the same notifications that currently still need to
Blockchain Container Completes Maiden Voyage
The Port of Rotterdam has announced that the first paperless and fully door-to-door tracked container, based on blockchain technology, has arrived at the warehouse of Samsung SDS in Tilburg.Last year Dutch bank ABN AMRO collaborated with the Port of Rotterdam and Samsung SDS on a blockchain trade initiative, DELIVER. The DELIVER concept fuels process automation and provides value for all actors in the supply chain.Yesterday, they have successfully tracked and instantly financed a shipping container and the Proof of Concept (PoC) phase is complete. The entire journey was paperless and automated
Advanced Tech Helps Guide Pioneering Spirit
Marine pilots relied on the latest inertial measurement technology to help guide the world’s largest construction vessel during a recent call at Maasvlakte in the port of Rotterdam.Measuring 372 by 124 meters, Allseas' Pioneering Spirit is the largest construction vessel in the world, designed for the single-lift installation and removal of large oil and gas platforms and the installation of record-weight pipelines.With large vessels such as this, final entrance and docking maneuvers in the close confines of port are typically controlled by a pilot. When Pioneering Spirit made its way into
February 2025
