The SS Rotterdam, the most famous passenger ship of the former Holland-America Line, is an icon in the port of Rotterdam. The ship currently serves as a hotel, conference location, and tourist attraction. However, the ship had to meet strict stability requirements for its berth. During placement, it became apparent that too much ballast had been removed, causing the ship to sit too high in the water.
Without the correct ballast, the ship would be unstable, posing risks to the safety of visitors and the preservation of the ship itself. The challenge was clear: a reliable and efficient solution was needed to get the ship deeper and more stable in the water.
The P. van der Kooij Groep was asked to contribute ideas and came up with the ideal solution: gravel. Large quantities of gravel were blown into the ship’s lower hold. This ensured that the ship was at the correct depth again and that stability was restored.
Thanks to this approach, the SS Rotterdam could be safely opened to visitors, without concerns about the ship’s position.
The project was not only technically challenging, but also special because of the historical and cultural value of the SS Rotterdam. For the P. van der Kooij Groep, it was an opportunity to show how versatile our solutions with gravel and bulk products are. From infrastructural projects to maritime applications: we contribute ideas and always deliver a suitable solution.
With the addition of large quantities of gravel:
This case emphasizes that the P. van der Kooij Groep does more than just transport and storage: we offer complete solutions for bulk and gravel applications in a variety of sectors.
Would you like to know more about our gravel solutions for maritime or infrastructural projects? Please contact our specialists. We would be happy to tell you how we can offer a suitable solution for your challenge.
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