Job Opportunities in Netherlands

Smart Ports thesis intern

A smart port is a modern and technologically advanced port that leverages innovative technologies and data-driven solutions to enhance its operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

What will you do as a Smart Ports thesis intern

As a Smart Ports thesis intern, you will perform academic research into the application of digital technologies to make the development and/or operations of ports around the globe more efficient, safe, and sustainable. This research will help grow your and our company’s Smart Ports expertise, on a topic that is valuable to both parties. Potential topics for your thesis internship include the following, but of course we are open to hearing your thoughts:

• Application of Artificial Intelligence in optimising port operations
• Quantifying business performance benefits of automated terminal equipment or digital trade platforms (e.g. Port Community Systems or Single Windows)
• Charging of electrified (autonomous) horizontal transport vehicles (battery exchange vs. opportunity charging) within terminal design
• Interactive (data) visualisation tools, to guide strategic design of ports, perhaps in a serious game

This opportunity can be a great start to an exciting career; it offers unique opportunities to learn from some of the world’s top maritime experts who reshape the port and maritime sector, as well as develop innovative tools using the latest modelling and simulation software.

Where you will work

Royal Haskoning DHV is a worldwide independent engineering, project management and consultancy firm which integrates 140 years of engineering expertise with digital technologies and software solutions. Our 6,500 colleagues are working from offices in more than 25 countries across the world. Through our mission “Enhancing Society Together”, we take responsibility for having a positive impact on the world. As our new Smart Ports thesis intern, you will become part of the team/advisory group Resilience & Maritime the Netherlands.

This team consists of around 200 colleagues and is based in the Netherlands across two offices (Rotterdam and Amersfoort). As a team, we excel in a wide variety of services and skills in the fields of maritime and climate resilience developments.

Notably, we are at the forefront of innovative port technology developments. Our team of multi-disciplinary experts is one of the largest and most experienced teams of Smart Ports professionals globally. We have provided expert commercial, technological, and operational advice for our international clientele. More specifically regarding Smart Ports, we have assisted terminal operators and port authorities with for example:

• Developing Smart Port strategies.
• Assessing terminal layout changes by means of simulation studies.
• Selection of automated/autonomous container handling equipment.
• Business process mapping for a PCS implementation.
• Drafting of system specifications (e.g. PCS, truck appointment system, and GOS).

What you bring

• You are enrolled in an MSc programme, with a clear affinity with ports and digital technologies.
• You are based in the Netherlands and willing to work in our office in Rotterdam (moving to Delft in the first half of 2025).
• You possess written and verbal English proficiency.
• Your availability for the internship is in principle full-time (40 hours per week). The start date and duration of your internship are open for discussion.
• You have a sincere interest in ports and digitalisation.
• You are pro-active and well able to work in an independent and structured manner.
• You have the ambition to combine theoretical analysis with the practical application thereof.
• You have an interest in working for an international engineering consultancy firm.

What we offer you

During your internship at Royal Haskoning DHV, you will acquire valuable work experience, you will get a feeling of what it is like to work in a consultancy firm and more specific the kind of work performed by the advisory group Resilience & Maritime Netherlands. You will be fully part of the team and as such you are invited to participate in all team activities, including social activities. You will also receive a monthly allowance.
Throughout your thesis internship, we will provide our expert guidance to help you deliver a master thesis with valuable practical implications. On top of this, we will use our client network in the Netherlands and abroad to try to arrange access to the data and business experts you need for your research.

Are you our next thesis intern?