Water Clerk Kian: “What I enjoy is the variety, the opportunity for growth, and the collaboration.”

“After my training, I would like to stay here. There’s the opportunity to advance to an operator role, which provides real prospects and is very motivating. What I enjoy about this job is the variety and the irregular working hours, which allows for free time during the week. It’s a great group of colleagues where there’s always room for a joke, but we also work seriously. And a big advantage is the company car!”

“My day always starts at the office. With the irregular shifts that come with being a water clerk, my day could begin at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 3:00 PM, or 11:00 PM. We always have at least two people on duty, so there’s always someone at the office while the other can head to a ship if needed. Between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM, more colleagues are present.”

“The first thing I do when I arrive at the office is turn on the computer to see what I can expect during my shift. Which ships are heading towards Rotterdam? Where will they dock? Do the clients need to be informed? Is there any missing information in the systems? I stay in contact with the crew on board, the clients, as well as the terminals and customs. This way, we ensure that clients and ships have to arrange as little as possible themselves. We handle these contacts and make sure that the ships can enter Rotterdam efficiently to load or unload.

For this, I also spend a lot of time driving, especially to visit ships. This can involve delivering packages, arranging documentation, and sometimes bringing cash on board. I also occasionally need to pick up bunker samples and deliver them to the laboratory to check if the fuel oil on board is pure.”

Meanwhile, Kian knows the entire Port of Rotterdam by heart and can navigate to any terminal effortlessly. “I really enjoy driving as part of this job. It allows me to clear my mind, providing a bit of calm during a busy workday.”

As a water clerk, Kian has irregular working hours and days, but he finds that quite agreeable. “Yes, I actually like it. Sometimes a few night shifts in a row can be tough, but it also provides a lot of free time during the week. It’s convenient for making time for sports, school, and work. For me, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. It also allows me to save up for a house! But of course, everyone has their own preferences.”

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