Because of the windy conditions in Rotterdam, the majority of depots use Windbreakers, a cat-iron coupling, developed by Windbreaker International, that connects the corners of the containers, enabling them to be protected and not vulnerable to wind.
In conditions of windy weather, depots are busy trying to secure the containers using tie ratchets or removing layers from the stack.
Sjaak de Vos, director of Windbreaker International, stated that when he was a director of container depot Mainport Container Services in Rotterdam, a supervisor of his made a prototype of a connecting piece that connects the corners of the container – the corner castings – to each other, so the top layer becomes one solid block. It was a good idea, but nothing was done with it because there were still steps to be made in the execution.
Therefore, De Vos collaborated with TNO, a research collaboration in Delft, that further developed the idea, tested it and searched for the most suitable material.
We decided on the strongest form of cast iron, twenty centimetres long and weighing six kilos. The connector allows you to connect the containers in the top layer, just like Lego. It takes about five minutes extra to screw the Windbreaker into the corner castings. However, you will easily win back this time in case of a storm. Then you will barely have to worry about it.
… De Vos noted.
The Windbreaker was trialled at Mainport Container Services in 2014, whereas additional depots as the port of Rotterdam were eager to use the solution.
As Port of Rotterdam commented
They offer excellent protection up to wind force 9. Our clients are satisfied, but the success depends of course on consistent use. It is a tool, not a panacea. Windbreakers reduce the risk of storm damage and at the same time make the workplace safer for employees.
