Maasvlakte 2
Smart lighting ensures a safe and sustainable port area
Maasvlakte 2, located in Rotterdam Port, was built to be the world's most sustainable and innovative port area. It officially opened in 2013 and plays a crucial role in global trade and logistics. In March 2023, an agreement was signed for a significant expansion of Maasvlakte 2. This expansion included the development of an empty depot of approximately 16 hectares for Star Container Services (a subsidiary of Maersk), one of the port's primary logistics providers, to accommodate its growing operations and the integration of new container handlers.
Van Gelder Verkeerstechniek, an infrastructure expert, was contracted to oversee the overall expansion, with the goal of respecting the port’s sustainable development guidelines. Schréder was chosen to provide lighting for the new outdoor area in line with the project's innovative approach.
Advanced lighting technology for a safe and sustainable area
To ensure safety and optimal visibility in all weather conditions, we proposed the highly energy-efficient and high-performance BRITELINE floodlight, which was coated to meet C5 standards for highly corrosive environments. A total of 78 floodlights were mounted on fourteen 45-metre-high Valmont masts and strategically positioned to provide uniform lighting across the area, taking into account shadows from the containers. Measurements taken on site after installation confirmed that light levels were higher than anticipated.
The precise optics and the adjustable bracket of the BRITELINE ensure that all light is directed to the ground to avoid any light spill or pollution in this coastal environment.
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Smart control for even greater efficiency
It was also crucial that the lighting could be easily managed by the customer. All of the floodlights are controlled by the Schréder EXEDRA lighting platform, which can adapt the lighting to exact requirements. As the platform is open and interoperable, it offers a futureproof solution for integrating devices or applications.
In collaboration with Van Gelder Verkeerstechniek, a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) was carried out to thoroughly test all luminaires and control systems.
For this project, we conducted a detailed lighting study, taking into account the shadows of the containers on the site. Although this was not explicitly requested in the tender, we felt it was important to incorporate this additional aspect to achieve the best possible result.

A collaborative project
Van Gelder Verkeerstechniek was responsible for coordinating the entire project. The extensive technical scope included lighting, security cameras, WiFi and access systems, which required close collaboration between Van Gelder's Verkeerstechniek, Telecom and Rail departments.
Van Gelder Verkeerstechniek had confidence in our expertise and commitment to delivering robustly engineered, high-quality lighting solutions, having successfully collaborated with us on previous projects.
As with all projects of this scale, there were a few challenges, including a tight deadline and unforeseen circumstances, such as a ship getting stuck in the Suez Canal, which impacted international shipments.
Despite various challenges, the project was delivered on time and to the customer's satisfaction, thanks to effective communication between all parties involved.
The decision to choose Schréder was based on previous positive experiences and confidence in their ability to deliver the right lighting on time.
We were delighted to work on this project, which demonstrates the importance of integrated solutions and close collaboration in achieving ambitious goals. Our collective expertise ensured the timely delivery of state-of-the-art lighting infrastructure for a safe and sustainable port. The lighting not only met, but exceeded expectations, thereby reinforcing Maasvlakte 2's reputation as a leading global port.