A new terminal lighting design on 30-meter high masts, with large mast spacing, strict light nuisance requirements, and 24/7 continuous operations.
Client
34 light poles
of 30 meters
50 lux
average
Vlaardingen,
Netherlands
Up to 0.45 (Uo)
uniformity
30%: More Fuel-Efficient
and other LED quotes
DFDS modernized the terminal in Vlaardingen: the existing part was made more sustainable while a new terminal section was simultaneously constructed. All of this took place at a terminal that operates 24/7, with regular traffic driving right past the site boundaries.
JEL provided the lighting design and installation of the new terminal lighting on 30-meter-high masts. The execution required working with a cherry picker and crane 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 homes and residential towers. The design therefore had to prevent glare and light pollution towards the residential area, while still meeting the required light levels on the site.
The project started as a sustainability query for the existing terminal section, but coincided with the construction of a completely new terminal section. Both had to be resolved in a cohesive 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 luminaires per pole, for a total of about 180 DarkLicht luminaires.
Project card
Project Type
Terminal Haven, New Terminal Lighting and Sustainability
Location
Vlaardingen, South Holland, Netherlands
Client
Terminal operator (execution via main contractor Boskalis)
Environment
Open terminal, 24/7 operation, adjacent residential area and residential towers, traffic along the property boundary
Current situation
Sustainability upgrades of the existing terminal section combined with the construction of a new terminal section
Scope
Lighting design and engineering, light pollution control, 30-meter light poles, DarkLicht fixtures, installation and maintenance
Result
An average of 50 lux with a uniformity of up to 0.45 (Uo), well above the standard, and approximately 30% energy savings compared to the other LED solutions offered
Standards
EN 12464-2:2024, NSVV light nuisance guideline, Eurocode (light masts) and NEN 1010 (electrical installation)
Prefer direct contact? +31 33 785 9809
JEL designed the terminal lighting concept based on the actual situation on site: the large mast spacing of 145 meters, the required illuminance on the site, and the strict light pollution requirements from the adjacent residential area and residential towers.
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 12464-2:2024 and the NSVV light pollution guideline.
Step 1
The environment
What is happening at the location determines the design: height, operating hours, environment, standards.
Step 2
The system
Light distribution, uniformity and glare are calculated before a luminaire is chosen.
Step 3
The product
Only after that follows the choice of luminaire, optics, and mounting that matches that calculation.
JEL provided the complete scope required for the new terminal lighting for DFDS Vlaardingen.
JEL designed the lighting concept around the required illuminance, the large mast 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 luminaires 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 harmonized the lighting design, masts, electrical installation, and terminal operation and coordinated the entire lighting scope, on behalf of main contractor Boskalis.
The installation averages 50 lux on the site with a uniformity between 0.35 and 0.45, significantly above the 0.25 required by the standard, and this 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 why the project was awarded to JEL.
An average of 50 lux with a uniformity of up to 0.45 (Uo), well above the standard, and approximately 30% energy savings compared to the other LED solutions offered
Used product
The terminal is equipped with DarkLicht DL1 and DL2 Luminaires, distributed across 34 masts of 30 meters with approximately six fixtures per mast, totaling around 180 fixtures.
The DarkLicht was chosen for its full-cutoff light distribution: the light is directed toward the work area and has virtually no spill into the surrounding area. This is particularly important for a terminal adjacent to residential areas, as it helps control light pollution.
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 12464-2:2024 for illuminance and uniformity, the NSVV guideline on obtrusive light for the lighting design, the Eurocode for the lighting columns 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 engineering, lighting fixtures, installation, and project coordination.
Your request will be assessed by our technical team.
We normally reply within one business day.
| Response | within 1 working day, by an engineer |
| Lighting calculation | free of charge, per zone |
| Trial luminaire | on your own mast, on request |
| Warranty | 5 years full, 10 years on the housing with a maintenance contract |
Rather call directly: 033 785 9809
