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Wilson’s Growth at RDM

Wilson Agency, the local office of Norwegian shipping company Wilson Eurocarriers, which operates a fleet of around 140 vessels, has been based at RDM Rotterdam for the past 13 years. What started with just four employees in 2006 has since grown into a team of 13.  With growth comes change, and about a year and a half ago, Wilson moved from the Dock Office to the historic Main Office building. The RDM Rotterdam office plays a vital role in representing the company’s interests in the Netherlands, and especially in the port city of Rotterdam. From liaising with port authorities and customs to handling port fees, Wilson takes care of everything for their vessels and partners.

## Working Through the Night
Wilson’s operations are diverse and intensive. With around 2,000 crew members, they not only manage crew changes but also provide logistical services such as cargo storage and transportation. Sometimes, if you look at the Wilson office from outside at night, you’ll still see a light on, because their work continues 24/7.

## Sustainability as a Core Value
Sustainability is a key priority for Wilson. They work closely with the Port of Rotterdam to reduce their environmental impact. They’ve already conducted tests to connect their vessels to shore power and expect the Parkkade to be ready for shore power later this year. This allows ships to switch off their generators while docked, reducing both emissions and noise pollution. Good for the planet and for our ears!

## A Unique Environment
Wilson both enjoys and benefits from the unique setting at RDM. From their office windows, they overlook the RDM site and watch their own ships sail by daily. The environment also fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange with other companies and students. Wilson especially values the dynamic interaction with young professionals who are putting their skills into practice.

## Investing in Upcoming Talent
Wilson welcomes everyone and places great importance on investing in upcoming talent. They consistently offer internship opportunities and actively involve interns in their operations to prepare them for the job market.

## Space to Grow at RDM
RDM Rotterdam is not just a starting point, it’s a place to grow. We offer space for innovative companies to launch and expand. As your business grows, there are plenty of opportunities to move into larger or more specialized facilities. We’re here to support you and your company every step of the way.

Are you an innovative start-up or scale-up curious about the possibilities?
Get in touch with our Sales Manager, René Schmitt, at r.schmitt@portofrotterdam.com or +31 6 11 00 46 99.

_Photos: Mickpunt & Wilson_

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Wilson’s growth at RDM

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Tidalis

From massive cargo ships to nimble water taxis, Rotterdam’s waterways are in high demand and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. Just like traffic on highways or in the skies, maritime traffic needs to be carefully managed. That’s where Tidalis comes in. We sat down with Nancy Scheijven, Managing Director EMEA, to talk about how Tidalis contributes to safe and efficient maritime navigation and why they chose to set up shop at RDM Rotterdam, right in the heart of the Innovation Dock.

## Go with the Flow
Nancy Scheijven, originally from Limburg, never imagined she’d end up in the Port of Rotterdam. After studying economics, she began her career as a consultant. Later, she joined the Dutch government and, through various roles in operations at Rijkswaterstaat, gradually moved closer to the world of water and shipping. “I found the work outside far more interesting than internal operations,” Scheijven explains. “So, I set my sights on becoming Director of Shipping Traffic and Water Management.” In that role, she became a client of the predecessor of Tidalis. In 2023, she made the switch and became Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at Tidalis. “I often say I drifted down the Maas but dropped anchor just in time.”

## From Department to Independent Company
Although the name Tidalis was introduced in 2023, the company has a longer history. It originated as a department within Philips in Apeldoorn, focused on developing maritime software. This department later became part of Swedish company Saab under the name Maritime Traffic Services but was sold to private investors in 2023.
“We’re now a fully independent company with 200 employees spread across offices in Vancouver, Hong Kong, Apeldoorn, and now also Rotterdam,” says Scheijven.

## Global Player in Maritime Traffic Management
So what exactly does Tidalis do? “We develop software for maritime traffic management systems that help vessel traffic operators guide ships safely and efficiently”, Scheijven explains. “Our software collects data from radars, cameras, and other sensors, and we ensure that this data is plotted in a traffic viewer, giving operators a real-time overview. We also install and maintain radars to guarantee an optimal traffic picture.” In addition to Rotterdam, Tidalis systems are used in ports such as Antwerp-Bruges, Belfast, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Hong Kong, and several ports in Australia. “We’re truly a global player in this field.”

## If It Works in Rotterdam, It Works Anywhere
Tidalis chose to establish itself in Rotterdam alongside its Apeldoorn office. “For us, being located in the Port of Rotterdam adds real value. As I always say: if it works in Rotterdam, it works anywhere.” The decision to move to RDM was strategic, not only to be closer to one of their key clients, but also to operate in an innovative environment.
“This place is full of energy. We’re next to Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and the Rotterdam Technical College, which helps us attract new talent. Plus, there are all kinds of innovative developments happening here that are relevant to our work. For example, Dutch Drone Company is just a few meters away, it’s fascinating to explore how we might integrate drone footage into our software,” Nancy shares.

## Software for Small Ports and Mega Hubs
Now that Tidalis is independent, innovation has become a core value. “Since standing on our own feet, we’ve realized we need to fight for our place again and that’s created a sense of urgency to keep innovating.” The company is working on developing open architecture, allowing its software to integrate easily with other systems. This makes it possible to automatically share ship movement data with port authorities and coast guards.
Tidalis is also experimenting with cloud technology to reduce reliance on expensive hardware.
“Our software needs to be flexible and accessible, whether you’re managing a small port or a mega hub like Rotterdam.”

## Standing Head and Shoulders Above the Rest
This focus on innovation aligns with Tidalis’ ambitious plans for the future.
The company aims to grow further in Rotterdam. “We want to expand our presence here and collaborate even more with local partners and educational institutions. We also want to stand head and shoulders above the competition,” Scheijven reveals. “With rising geopolitical tensions, we’re seeing that clients appreciate having a Dutch supplier, someone close by, easy to communicate with, and offering highly accessible yet top-quality software. That’s the kind of partner we strive to be.”

_Photography: Eric Fecken_

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Radical Builders

In the bustling heart of the port of Rotterdam, where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, you’ll find Radical Builders. This pioneering company, founded by engineer Bram Delfos, is spearheading a revolution in the maritime industry. From the Innovation Dock at RDM, Bram and his team are developing an unmanned boat like you’ve never seen before.

## A Jack-of-all-trades
After completing his offshore engineering studies at TU Delft and an internship at Ocean Cleanup working on unmanned collection systems, Bram started a company in Data Analytics. However, his passion for hardware remained strong, leading him to establish Radical Builders two years ago. This idea emerged from closely listening to market demand: “The first boat was almost sold before my Chamber of Commerce registration was finalized.”

## UNMANNED VESSELS
Radical Builders designs innovative unmanned vessels tailored for efficiency and functionality. “In our approach, we throw the entire philosophy of ship design overboard and essentially create large floating robots that can perform their tasks as efficiently as possible.” They look at the big picture of innovative shipbuilding. Instead of modifying existing ships, they create a new, standardized design. This design eliminates all unnecessary elements, such as cabins and wheelhouses, resulting in a more compact and lighter vessel. They then add optimized modules to meet specific customer needs. “We are currently building our first boat, which will be used for seaweed harvesting. We are therefore adding a cutting system, a conveyor belt, and storage to this vessel.”

Radical Builders’ vessels are designed for energy efficiency and functionality to operate sustainably. “There is no crew that needs to rest on board, which of course saves costs and space. For example, for small inland vessels, this increases the load capacity by up to 30%. Our vessels can also sail a pre-programmed route or be manually controlled remotely.” So far, current regulations have been the main obstacle for Radical Builders, but these may be amended favourably in 2025. A new exemption will make it possible for the first time to sail unmanned vessels up to 20 meters / 100 tons by remote control from a control centre.

## RDM: THE PERFECT BREEDING GROUND
For the start-up, the Innovation Dock at RDM is the ideal home base. “RDM is the perfect combination of network, safety, and flexibility for us”, Bram explains enthusiastically. “We have the physical space here to experiment and produce, which is essential for a company that builds innovative products. At the same time, RDM offers the flexibility that a start-up needs. We can adjust our space to our needs – if we are between projects, we can move to a smaller plot. This dynamic environment allows us to work efficiently and switch quickly, exactly what we need at this stage of our company.”

## BUILDING THE FUTURE, LITERALLY
Bram has a clear and ambitious vision for the future of Radical Builders. “My goal is to produce one ship per week by 2030”, he says determinedly. To achieve this, he focuses on entering specific markets, especially in the security and defence sectors, where the demand for unmanned vessels is greatest. “Due to changing laws and regulations, we are now in the right place in the wave of development and market adoption”, he adds.

Bram also sees the possibility of applying Radical Builders’ innovative designs to a broader range of ship markets. “The entire new-build ship market can benefit from our radically different approach to shipbuilding”, he explains. In the long term, he hopes that Radical Builders will grow into a leading player in the global shipbuilding industry. “The dreams are big, but the possibilities are also enormous”, he concludes with a smile.

_Photography: Eric Fecken_

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Working Through the Night

Sustainability as a Core Value

A Unique Environment

Investing in Upcoming Talent

Space to Grow at RDM

Other news

Radical Builders

Tidalis