A significant number of RPPC members showcased their enterprises during the World Port Days. RPPC reflects on the event with Vopak and Broekman Logistics.
Vis hopes the event will foster a positive view towards working in the port. “There is enormous employment potential in this city, and we can offer many more people well-paid jobs in the port.”
Clearly, Vis was there both as a communications professional and as HR Director. “Last year’s participation certainly resulted in a number of new colleagues, so that was really a great outcome.” However, that is not the primary goal. Vis explains, “Our main aim is to enthuse people about the port and to highlight the diverse nature of work available there.”
According to Vis, Vopak had the best spot for their stand at the event, located on Veerkade. “This allowed us to enjoy all the activities on the water.” The Vopak team hosted a quiz at their stand. “Through this, we let people discover who we are and what we do. Visitors could win great prizes.”
A huge success was also Vopak’s introduction of barrel-like containers at their stand, resembling mini storage tanks. “They had a hole on top where children could aim a ball.” Additionally, visitors could try on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and take memorable photos. “We made a lot of people happy,” concludes Vis.
Tomas van der Maarel, Manager Business Development at Broekman Logistics and board member of the Young Port Association, had a busy weekend too. “On Friday evening, our association participated in a festival organised between the cruise terminal and the World Port Center,” he states. “We managed to gather about 150 people there.”
On Saturday, Van der Maarel was active for his employer, Broekman Logistics. “I conducted tours during World Port Days, in the form of an excursion for visitors across our terminal at Heijplaat.” The company has a 350-meter sea-side quay there, and on the other side of Heijplaatweg, Broekman Logistics has several warehouses from the former RDM. Van der Maarel says, “We called it the Breakbulk Experience.”
The event attracted a diverse audience. “People who were curious because they had never been to such a location, but also retirees and family members of people who work here.” Young talent was also frequently among the visitors.
Excursion participants were transported by bus from the Spido terminal to Heijplaat and were first given safety instructions. “Operations on site continued as usual, so safety was our top priority.”
This column is written by Rob van Dijk, Director Operations at Broekman Logistics, and is pulished on the website of the Rotterdam Port Promotion Council. Read the Dutch version here.