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40th Anniversary Special: As Cargo Care Solutions continues its yearlong celebration of its 40thanniversary, we wanted to hear from the original team members who made it happen. Paul Venderbosch, one of the first maritime engineers with the company, retired a few years ago but still stops by the headquarters to say hello. We had questions.
How It Started In 1985
Q: Can you explain how the story started for you and what work you did exactly?
“It all started in 1985, when Macor, precursor to Cargo Care, was founded. I had been an outside mechanic with another firm, but at Macor, you did everything—answering the phone, packing warehouse orders, even fixing equipment on board ships. I was the only mechanic at the start, so if the phone rang on Friday afternoon, your weekend was over. As a company that just went into business, you couldn’t afford to say ‘no’.”
Q:There’s a photo of you on the website in a yellow Macor overall. What does that image mean to you?
“Recognition. You were visible everywhere in those overalls. Though, it also meant people always found you when something broke! It was a symbol of pride—and pressure.”
Q: What was it about the company that made you stay all those years?
“Honestly, I never planned to stay that long — it just kind of happened. The work kept evolving, the people were good, and I never felt like I had to be someone I’m not. It’s rare to find a place where you can just do your thing, be trusted, and have a laugh in between. That combination kept me around.”
Memories
Q: Did you specialize in anything during that time?
“I was especially interested in RoRo-ships because of the hydraulics involved—far more than you'd find on regular cargo ships. When we landed our first big client client, things started to change. They had four RoRo-vessels with massive 470-ton ramps. That led to my first international job in Japan.”
Q: What was that like—working abroad for the first time?
“A real eye-opener. I flew through Finland, only to discover my connecting flight didn’t exist! I received a telex from the travel agency that told me to go home again. I still have it somewhere! Eventually, I made it to Tokyo, and from there to Yokohama. I traveled on board from Hiroshima to Hong Kong, which was an unforgettable three-week journey.”
Q: What kind of projects did you work on after that?
“For example, one job was for Ekofisk in the late 80s, a Norwegian oil platform that needed to be elevated six meters due to rising sea levels. It involved hundreds of hydraulic units. We also did service work for the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia in the 90s. Their RoRo-ships transported material from the US to the Middle East via Rotterdam. That kept us busy.”
Paul's Love For The UK
Q: What are some of your fondest memories from those years?
“One that always makes me smile happened during a docking job in the UK. One time, they were trying to remove a shaft for three days with pumps and welded fittings. I arrived, opened a tiny valve, heard a sudden sound, and the whole thing came loose. What took them three days, I solved in minutes. Moments like that are priceless.”
Q: Any places you particularly enjoyed working?
“The UK. Southampton and Falmouth for P&O stand out. The people they treated me like one of their own. Every year in November, I joined them for a sailing trip to see things in action. I was always placed in the officers' cabin or the most luxurious room. That kind of appreciation stays with you.”
Q: Any technical challenges that stuck with you?
“Yes, two similar cases stand out. One was in the Netherlands, Vlaardingen, with a ship called the Patria. The pump wasn’t working despite our best efforts. Eventually, we discovered a small pressure pipe had a hidden crack. Later, I encountered the exact same issue on a ferry ship. Thanks to the first experience, I recognized the problem immediately. Everyone was amazed by my knowledge, while I have to admit there was some luck and timing involved. That saved everyone a lot of time and money.”
Not All Smooth Sailing
Q: Was it always smooth sailing at the company?
“Absolutely not. The life of an engineer can be very though as well. One time in Yokohama, I lost 63 tons of quarter ramp during a snowstorm. The pipes had been poorly flushed during dock repairs, causing pump failures. I managed to get one pump working manually, but later the ramp skid fell into the water due to a mistake by a new operator. Luckily, the structure floated and was found. When we got to Dubai, we found out the welds were so bad that it was a miracle the skid had held on for eight years. We made sure to improve the design afterward.”
Q: Looking back on your long career as an engineer, how do you reflect on your time at Cargo Care Solutions—and how has the transition into retirement been for you?
"Looking back, it was quite a ride. I never set out to stay as long as I did, but the work kept me engaged and the people made it enjoyable. There was always something new to solve, somewhere new to go. I still drop by the office now and then, just to say hi or help out a bit. Retirement's good. I’ve got more time for family and sailing, but I do miss the buzz sometimes. Still, it's nice to know I was part of something that’s still going strong."
Thank you, Paul!
Thank you for your dedication, Paul! Your journey reflects the heart and history of our company as we continue to support the maritime industry to this day.
