Stroopwafels as a conversation starter for a sustainable future
Next month, Value Maritime will be present at SMM Hamburg. However, they will not have a stand there this year because, as they say: "Many clients and new contacts will be there so we plan to go to them and have some interesting conversations. We already have many meetings scheduled and we want the freedom to move around." Yvette van der Sommen, Commercial Director, spoke with NMT and explained this choice.
This year, Value Maritime is sponsoring NMT’s stroopwafels at SMM—a fun and accessible initiative, as they describe it themselves. Yvette explains: “The stroopwafel stand is an opportunity to reach thousands of people in attendance and delight them with our famous Dutch treats, and start some great conversations of course.”
Two-in-One Solution
Value Maritime are pioneers in their market with a system that serves two purposes. It cleans ship exhaust gases by removing sulfate and particulate matter. Additionally, it functions as a carbon capture system. Even with these dual functions, the system is very compact. Yvette explains the combination of the two functions: “Before capturing CO2, you need to cool and clean the exhaust gases. That's what our EGCS does by nature. Adding a carbon capture system is therefore a logical next step. with carbon capture system does.”
Value Maritime is thus simultaneously addressing the present and the future. “We remove CO2 from ships and further process it so it can be used, for example, in greenhouses today. In medium to long run, we also want to dive into other storage and utilization projects.”
Yvette: “Steps need to be taken now.”
At SMM, Value Maritime expects to meet a lot of people—both familiar faces and new contacts. “We are leaders in what we do,” Yvette explains. “That’s why we’re very interested to hear others’ ideas about the future and new technologies.” Of course, it's not just about the conversations happening on the spot. “I expect that some of these conversations will lead to lasting connections. We are looking for shipowners who are also thinking about the future.”
Yvette continues, “The most important thing to me is that action needs to be taken now. If steps aren't taken immediately, we will fall behind and fail to meet the goals set by the IMO.”
NMT’s Brand Recognition helps
With the sponsorship approach Value Maritime has chosen, they are connected to NMT at the trade show even without having their own booth. “We’ve been a member of NMT for about three years now,” says Yvette. “It’s incredibly convenient that all of this is organized. It's very attractive for us to join NMT at these kinds of trade shows. We are there alongside other involved parties, and NMT can occasionally help us connect with the right partners. This way, we are clearly and proudly associated with the recognition of the Netherlands and NMT, and the network that comes with it.”