Compair Uses FreezerData to Uncover the Real Cause of Cooling Failures on the Maasvlakte

Standstill on the Maasvlakte

Compair Airconditioning specializes in climate control for commercial buildings, retail, hotels and industry. The company maintains the cooling systems of dozens of port cranes on the Maasvlakte.

"We installed two cooling units per cabin on 56 cranes," John explains. During an inspection, the coolant was found to no longer meet sustainability standards. New machines were installed, approved by the supplier, the manufacturer and the client. Specifications: operational up to 43°C.

Everything ran smoothly — until last July's heatwave. "At 32°C, something happened nobody expected. The cooling units shut down. The entire terminal came to a standstill, and the Maasvlakte filled up with trucks."

The 32-degree mystery

"The strange thing? It was only 32 degrees," John says. "For us humans that feels like a sauna, but the machines were supposed to run up to 43. We suspected the problem lay in the specifications. But how do you prove that to your client? The cranes operate autonomously — no one is allowed on them while they're running. We built two test setups, but they didn't replicate the real conditions."

Compair sought external expertise. "We brought in Henk Komin from FreezerData. He confirmed our suspicion: the issue was likely in the specs. His proposal: use FreezerData to demonstrate it live on a working installation."

Live data as proof

"Normally, you use FreezerData to prevent malfunctions," John says. "We used it as a measurement tool. FreezerData installed sensors on our operating cranes. We received live data while the installations kept running."

FreezerData analyzed the measurements and shared the results with Compair. "We saw extreme differences between the factory specifications and real-world behavior. Our installation was technically correct. The machine simply didn't do what the manufacturer claimed."

Evidence on the table

With FreezerData's analysis, Compair could take action. "We modified the machines based on our findings. A new test setup proved that our version reached 43°C — the original did not."

Compair presented the data to the manufacturer. "By showing the real performance of the machines, the manufacturer became much more involved in finding a solution," John says.

From skeptical to convinced

Initially, the terminal operator — Compair's client — didn't believe in monitoring. "They had tried alert systems before, but no one ever looked at them," John explains.

Compair demonstrated what made FreezerData different. "The system sends targeted notifications through AI analysis. No information overload. We get a warning, then we direct the client's technical department so they can take preventive action. Several breakdowns have already been avoided. That convinced them."

Rollout across the entire fleet

"There's another pilot scheduled soon," says John. "If that succeeds, the client is considering equipping all machines with FreezerData. That's a few hundred units. The rollout will take at least a year, because you can't simply stop all cranes at once — it has to be phased."

For Compair, the collaboration with FreezerData is a reinforcement. "With Henk's expertise, FreezerData's data and our installation knowledge, we were able to convince our client. And FreezerData has already proven itself in other projects as well."

Result: continuity for everyone

"For our client, FreezerData means continuity," John concludes. "For Compair, it means we have proof and can solve problems. For the terminal, it means no more downtime during heatwaves."

His advice to fellow installers? "FreezerData is a supportive platform with tremendous added value. It gives you the data you need. I recommend it to everyone."

With FreezerData, the Maasvlakte keeps running. Malfunctions become visible before they cause damage — even at 43 degrees.