Check our job openings.

Do you want to contribute to a sustainable world?

CAREERS. FOR INGENIOUS PEOPLE.

‘Sustainability is a critical issue both for Van Oord and our clients. Don’t hesitate to share sustainable ideas in tenders and projects, because there’s often plenty of interest on both sides.’

Anything else that you’d like to tell our readers?

Question 5

‘I have 100% green electricity at home, generated by Dutch wind turbines. I’ve taken steps to use local green electricity and I also try to support our business that way. Since I live and work in Rotterdam, I don’t have a car and usually travel by bicycle or public transport. I also pay for carbon credits when I fly, and support environmental groups.’

What do you do to contribute to sustainability?

Question 4

‘I’ve been interested in nature since my childhood. As a teenager in Australia, I would go on long hiking, fishing and camping trips with friends. It was important to have access to clean drinking water from rivers on these trips. That’s what made me decide to study Aquatic Ecology and to delve into which aspects impact the health and sustainability of our waterways. I now use that knowledge in my work.’

What makes you
so interested in sustainability? 

Question 3

‘Absolutely! One of my first projects at Van Oord was the ReefGuard. The project involved capturing a small quantity of coral seed in the ocean or in reservoirs. We cultivated the tiny coral in our state-of-the-art aquaculture facility. We then planted them out to create new reefs or rehabilitate existing ones. I worked on all five ReefGuard experiments in Australia and the Bahamas. It gave me a tremendous kick to master and apply this extremely complex, specialist process and then scale it up. The knowledge that we acquired in the project led to our Coral Engine concept and our work on the Great Barrier Reef last December. Working for a company that carries out major projects means that I can use creative solutions to make a difference in sustainability.’

At Van Oord, you can literally build a sustainable world and make a difference.
Do you agree? 

Question 2

‘Sustainability is very important to me, both in my work and in my private life. I think it’s important to be conscious of your actions and to think about their long-term impact. In my spare time, I like to be in nature, to go hiking or fishing. We will have to take huge steps to preserve our natural world. And not just for ourselves, but for future generations!’

What does sustainability mean to you?

Question 1

Environmental Engineer

Jesper Elzinga

Check our job openings.

Do you want to contribute to a sustainable world?

CAREERS. FOR INGENIOUS PEOPLE.

‘To ensure that our planet is habitable for future generations, we need to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half every decade. This is a huge challenge, and we’ll have to pull out all the stops, from incremental improvements to groundbreaking solutions. So I’d like to call on Team Van Oord to keep thinking about this challenge. All ideas are welcome (and necessary!), big and small.’

Anything else that you’d like to tell our readers?

Question 5

‘The way that Van Oord has been proactive about developing offshore wind takes real guts. We need to continue and embrace even more new, good, innovative ideas. Keep exploring and look around you!’

What should Van Oord do to live up to the expectations of future generations? 

Question 4

‘Yes. Sustainability goes without saying for young people and entry-level employees. We grew up with it. I sometimes think that the older generations see it as an imposition, or mainly as something that should immediately produce financial benefits. They have a harder time explaining what the energy transition will actually mean for our business, and they’re more likely to see risks than opportunities. I think it's pretty difficult to get to grips with the radical change that we’re facing and the pace at which it’s unfolding. So the generation after me will probably have very different thoughts about it and be even more focused on sustainability than I am.’

Do you see a generational difference at work when it comes to sustainability? 

Question 3

‘Our offshore wind and coastal defence projects are appealing examples of climate mitigation and climate adaptation measures. As an Environmental QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety and Environment) Coordinator, I work to reduce the emissions generated by these activities. I’m part of a working group that comes up with new innovations, for example in relation to alternative fuels or new equipment and adaptations. My next project is to study the extent to which our latest crane vessel, the Werkendam, is reducing our carbon footprint. I’m really excited about the vessel’s innovative design and energy management system. Van Oord has had the guts to pick the cleanest technology.’

How do you practise sustainability in your work for
Van Oord?

Question 2

‘Before I worked for Van Oord, I spent five years living in Nicaragua. I learned to value my friends and family above material possessions. I wasn’t earning much and had very little money to live on. I still live very simply today. To me, sustainability is more about values and less about green versus grey electricity. Although I do use green electricity, of course.’

What does sustainability mean to you?

Question 1

QHSE Energy Management Coordinator

Floris van Nouhuijs

Check our job openings.

Do you want to contribute to a sustainable world?

CAREERS. FOR INGENIOUS PEOPLE.

‘Even if you think you can't make a difference, you can! Even with some very small changes to your life!’

Anything else that you’d like to tell our readers?

Question 5

‘I recently switched from Offshore Wind project execution to the Project Office, where I’ll be looking at how to improve the tender process. In my final Offshore Wind project, I was responsible for building the Offshore High Voltage Station (OHVS). This is a transformer station that collects and converts the electricity generated by wind turbines and transfers it to shore. I can apply the experience I gained on that project in my current position. My goal is to make sustainability part of every project right from the very start – the tender!’

What sustainable project will you be working on next at Van Oord? 

Question 4

‘I think that the drive to become more sustainable should be a cooperative effort. So look around for people who have the same goals and try to cooperate with them to make your home and your work a greener place. Make sustainability a topic of discussion. Awareness is the first step towards change.’

What green tips can you give us, both at work and at home?

Question 3

‘I try to live as sustainably as possible by making informed choices about what I eat, what I wear, what I buy, how I travel, and how I dispose of things. For example, I prefer to buy local and seasonal fruit and vegetables and I eat a lot less meat than I used to. I try to buy clothes made by manufacturers that use organic cotton and that don’t pump chemicals into sources of water. Sometimes I buy second-hand clothing or make my own clothes to avoid unnecessary waste!’

How green are you in your everyday life?

Question 2

‘I believe that everyone is responsible for sustainability. We are all responsible for avoiding negative impacts on our planet and for making it a place where our children and great-grandchildren can enjoy the same natural environment and quality of life as we do. My parents taught me that if an opportunity comes your way, then you have a duty to use that opportunity to do good. I think we all have to do our share to make positive changes as we face the challenges of our time, for example climate change and the use and disposal of plastics.’

What does sustainability mean to you?

Question 1

Project Manager

Rachel Terry