Interview with Mr. Paul Meester, Business Development Manager at Roll Group
Mr. Paul Meester, Business Development Manager at Roll Group, gave an exclusive interview to Epicos. Among others, he stated that: “We have been the partner of choice for navy’s and naval ship builders to provide the logistical solutions for the worldwide transportation of valuable equipment, such as submarines, corvettes and fast missile craft. Roll Group gained a lot of experience and knowledge over a large number of projects, working according to strict country rules. Each project is meticulously planned and handled with the utmost precision and care”.
Mr. Meester, can you please introduce Roll Group?
Roll Group is a Dutch company which offers a total solution on transportation, lifting and installation of heavy cargo. Operating under one name, the forces of the companies RollDock, BigRoll and Roll-Lift are strengthened. Our combination of activities on land and at sea enables us to offer ‘Factory to Foundation’ solutions, which means that we can bring heavy cargo from the place of manufacturing to its final destination for installation. That is our philosophy. But our land and sea activities are also perfectly deployable as a single service.
To make sure that we offer our clients the most safe, effective and sustainable solution for their transport, lifting or installation challenge - or a combination of those - we rely on our engineers, with their years of experience and unique know how. Our in-house engineering department prepares every transport with motion stability, ballasting analysis and mooring calculations. If required, we also have the ability to design tailor-made grillage and sea fastening in order to perform every loading, transport and discharge operation with maximum safety and precision.
What are the infrastructure and the capabilities of your company?
RollDock owns five and operates six dock-type vessels, which all have the option of three loading modes; Roll-On / Roll-Off, Float-In / Float-Out and Lift-On / Lift-Off. The adjustable deck levels and water ballast tanks ensure that for example modules can be driven onboard in a perfect horizontal movement. Floating objects like ships and dredging equipment can float into the dock of the RollDock vessels by partly submerging the vessel. The deck cranes of the vessels can lift cargo up to 700 tons in tandem.
Besides the RollDock vessels, Roll Group owns three BigRoll Module Carriers, which are all ice classed. The completely flush deck is highly suitable for Roll-On/Off and Skid-On/Off operations to install for example large modules for transport. The vessels are partly DP2 equipped and partly DP2 prepared, which make the BigRoll vessels suitable for offshore operations.
On the land side Roll‐Lift operates a large number of modern heavy lift cranes, Self-Propelled Modular Trailers (SPMT’s), conventional trailers, skidding and jacking equipment.
Which are your fields of expertise and main activities?
The specific characteristics of Roll Group’s asset base ensures the ability to serve a wide range of markets, such as but not limited to: Naval, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Dredging, Petrochemical and Power. But our equipment is also highly suitable to transport superyachts, river cruisers, civil construction and complete assembled port cranes or other port handling equipment.
Which areas of the world is your company active or can operate in?
Besides the headquarters in Rotterdam, Roll Group is strategically based in Houston and Singapore. In addition, Roll Group may rely on its satellite offices and an extensive network of agents.
Roll Group operates worldwide. Our vessels are able to reach even the most difficult places, due to its shallow draft and ice class certification. Our land equipment - such as cranes, SPMT’s, trailers, skidding and jacking equipment - concentrates mainly in the USA and APAC region, but we are able to use our specific lifting and installation knowledge around the globe and rent equipment where necessary.
Can your company safely transfer military items around the world?
Yes, we can and we do that often. Due to the semi-submersible aspect of the RollDock vessels, other ships are able to sail into the dock of the RollDock vessel. The high dock walls and the possibility to provide incoming ships with cooling water and power make the RollDock vessels even more suitable for the transport of naval ships. Once the floating equipment is loaded, we can compartmentalize the dock, so that we are able to also load other military equipment like vehicles and ribs, by using the Roll-On and/or Lift-On methods.
Roll Group is extremely aware of the fact that especially naval ships must be transported accurately and often with the necessary discretion. We have been the partner of choice for navy’s and naval ship builders to provide the logistical solutions for the worldwide transportation of valuable equipment, such as submarines, corvettes and fast missile craft. Roll Group gained a lot of experience and knowledge over a large number of projects, working according to strict country rules. Each project is meticulously planned and handled with the utmost precision and care. Our engineers are able to design custom made frames and saddles, which perfectly fit to the shape of the hulls.
Which are your security certificates for the transportation of military items?
We don’t have that kind of certificates. Our vessels are flying the Dutch flag with Dutch officers. Our vessels are able to carry IMO cargo (like ammunition and the like) for which certificates are of course on board, issued by vessel’s class. No other security certificates are on board, but of course we take all necessary precautions (armed Dutch marines) when passing through piracy affected waters to protect our crew, vessel and cargo.
Could you share with us the next steps and priorities of your company?
As Roll Group we want to become the preferred carrier of choice. We prefer to get involved in projects or large transport assignments in an early stage. Early involvement means that we can add value, since our engineers can design tailormade grillage for example, or make changes to the design of the cargo to avoid unnecessary costs. By acting this way, we will become trusted advisor of our clients.
Furthermore, we want to offer services where we combine our land and sea capabilities where needed, but also focus on niche industries like the naval market which requires specialized equipment and engineering knowledge. But most important: we strive to contribute to decrease the global pressure of our environment.
Is there a specific country or region where Roll Group would like to expand to in the near future?
No specific country, the whole world is our scope. But as we recently opened several offices in the APAC region, we expect that we will expand our activities in that part of the world.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Obviously the condition of the cargo is constantly monitored during the sea voyage and with our Octopus weather forecast system we can choose the safest sailing route. Our highly experienced crew is aware of the vulnerability and preciousness of the cargo on board, especially with naval cargo like submarines, frigates etc.
For additional information: www.roll-group.com
