DFDS modernized the terminal in Vlaardingen: the existing part was made more sustainable while a new terminal section was constructed at the same time. All of this took place at a terminal that operates 24/7, with regular traffic driving along the edges of the site.
JEL provided the lighting design and installation of the new Terminal lighting on 30-meter-high masts. The execution required working with aerial platforms and cranes to install and replace the masts and wreaths, without disrupting terminal operations.
The biggest technical challenge was the very large mast spacing: 145 meters between masts that were only 30 meters high, approximately five times the mast height. With such a ratio, dark zones and shadows quickly develop between the masts.
In addition, the terminal is located on the border of an industrial area with directly adjacent residential buildings and towers. The design therefore had to prevent glare and light nuisance towards the residential area, while still achieving the required light levels on site.
The project began as a sustainability request for the existing terminal section, but coincided with the construction of an entirely new terminal section. Both had to be solved in a single, coherent lighting design.
In 2021, JEL was commissioned by general contractor Boskalis to install the new terminal lighting on newly erected 30-meter-high masts. In total, the terminal has 34 30-meter light poles with approximately six fixtures per pole, for a total of about 180 DarkLicht fixtures.
Contact our engineering team to discuss terminal lighting, mast infrastructure, or a complete project scope.
Terminal handover, new terminal lighting and sustainability
Vlaardingen, South Holland, Netherlands
Terminal Operator (execution via main contractor Boskalis)
Open terminal, 24/7 operation, adjacent residential area and residential towers, traffic along the property line
Sustainability of the existing terminal section combined with the construction of a new terminal section.
Lighting design and engineering, light pollution control, 30-meter light poles, DarkLicht fixtures, installation and maintenance.
DarkLicht DL1 and DL2, 34 poles, each 30 m tall, approximately 180 light fixtures
An average of 50 lux with a uniformity of up to 0.45 (Uo), well above the standard, and approximately 30% in energy savings.
EN 12464-2, NSVV Guideline Light Nuisance, Eurocode (light poles), and NEN 1010 (electrical installation).
JEL designed the terminal lighting concept based on the actual on-site situation: the large mast spacing of 145 meters, the required illuminance on the site, and the strict glare requirements of the adjacent residential area and apartment buildings.
By first determining the environment and the system and only then selecting the product, it was possible to achieve uniform lighting of the site using full-cutoff DarkLicht luminaires, without light spill or glare toward the residences, as assessed against EN 12464-2 and the NSVV light pollution guideline.
JEL delivered the complete scope needed for DFDS Vlaardingen's new terminal lighting.
JEL designed the lighting concept around the required illuminance, the large pole spacing of 145 meters, and the strict light nuisance requirements of the adjacent residential area.
With full-cutoff DarkLicht luminaires and precise aiming angles, light spill and glare directed toward homes and residential towers are kept to a minimum, in accordance with the NSVV light pollution guideline.
Of 30-meter high light poles were installed and equipped with approximately six DarkLicht fixtures per mast. Installation was carried out using an aerial work platform and a crane while terminal operations were ongoing.
Upon realization, it has been verified that the site achieves an average of 50 lux with a uniformity of up to 0.45 (Uo), well above the standard requirement of 0.25.
The project included the cable infrastructure and connections for the new terminal lighting on the 34 light poles.
JEL coordinated the lighting design, masts, electrical installation, and terminal operation, and managed the entire lighting scope, on behalf of main contractor Boskalis.
The installation achieves an average of 50 lux on the site with a uniformity between 0.35 and 0.45, significantly above the 0.25 required by the standard, despite the pole spacing of 145 meters.
Compared to other premium-brand LED solutions on the market, this installation delivers approximately 30% in energy savings. That combination of light quality, controlled light pollution, and efficiency was a key reason the project was awarded to JEL.
The terminal is equipped with DarkLicht DL1 and DL2 Fixtures, spread over 34 masts of 30 meters with approximately six fixtures per mast, totaling around 180 fixtures.
DarkLicht is gekozen om zijn full-cutoff lichtverdeling: het licht gaat gericht naar het werkgebied en vrijwel niet naar de omgeving. Juist bij een terminal die grenst aan woningen is dat bepalend voor het beheersen van lichthinder.
At DFDS Vlaardingen, the mast height (30 m) was in an unusual ratio to the mast spacing (145 m, approximately 5× the mast height). This requires luminaires with precisely controlled optics and a lighting design that prevents cast shadows and dark zones between the masts. Using DarkLicht luminaires and a custom-calculated design, we achieved an average of 50 lux with a uniformity of up to 0.45.
The terminal is adjacent to residential homes and high-rise apartment buildings. Thanks to full-cutoff DarkLicht luminaires, precise beam angles, and compliance with the NSVV light pollution guideline, light spill and glare toward the residential area are kept to a minimum, without compromising the light level on the site.
Yes. The work took place at a 24/7 operational terminal with traffic along the site boundaries. The installation with aerial work platform and crane was planned so that operations could continue.
Compared to other premium-brand LED solutions on the market, this installation achieves approximately 30% in energy savings, one of the reasons the project was awarded to JEL.
EN 12464-2 for illuminance and uniformity, the NSVV guideline on light pollution for lighting design, Eurocode for the lighting poles, and NEN 1010 for the electrical installation.
Are you working on a lighting project for a port facility, offshore yard, logistics site, or other large industrial location? JEL Products can support the entire process: from lighting design and environmental assessment to pole infrastructure, civil works, luminaires, installation, and project coordination.
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