What do you consider to be the benefits of the Cargoshell?
A big difference from other collapsible containers that are currently available is the time needed to fold up and unfold the container. Whereas this takes 4 to 10 minutes with other containers, the Cargoshell can be folded up or unfolded within 30 seconds. This is of course a huge difference that is of great benefit. And it only needs one person, whereas two people are generally needed for other containers. In my opinion the Cargoshell is very suitable for niche markets. The two principal niche markets that I see are military applications and logistical help, such as the Red Cross. In disaster areas a huge number of Cargoshells can be put in place in no time at all. As well as niche markets I can see an interest from organisations that want to show a genuinely green image to the market.

What is your view on the course the Cargoshell is undergoing at the moment?
I am very curious to know how things are going with the classification of the Cargoshell. A year ago at the congress we were told that the container was going to be tested for classification purposes. They were also going to make a second prototype. I haven’t heard anything more about this, but of course I am curious to know the current status.

What do Rene Giesbers and his team need to make the Cargoshell a success?
I still think the Cargoshell is really fantastic, now we just have to wait for a breakthrough. Actually it’s quite hard to make that breakthrough. There are three steps you have to take. The first step is to have a good concept. The Cargoshell is a good concept, so this step has already been taken. I can see that its collapsibility and light weight are of great benefit to the container world. The second step is the certification of the Cargoshell. When the Cargoshell has been fully certified, Rene Giesbers will start off on the third and most important step – finding a big customer for Cargoshell. This must be an organisation that believes in the product, can see the benefits and is prepared to invest in it. When this has been achieved the market will accept Cargoshell.

Which type of organisations does the Cargoshell need to be accepted by the market?
The Cargoshell needs a major partner with a green image. It will have to be a large multinational such as DSM, Procter and Gamble or AH. These organisations have a substantial transport requirement and need containers all the time. Moreover, they are becoming increasingly concerned with their global carbon footprint. They want to operate more sustainably and Cargoshell is ideally suited to that.

How can these organisations be approached?
You have to make it clear to these big organisations how using the Cargoshell will benefit them. They need to know precisely what the reduction in their CO2 emissions would be if they were to carry out their global operations with the Cargoshell. This all has to be calculated and set out in a business case. This is the way you can convince such organisations and win them over.

Do you have any final advice for Rene Giesbers and his team?
During the whole of the process that the Cargoshell is now going through it is worthwhile keeping a high profile within the sector. For example, it seems to me a good idea to give interviews to an influential magazine in the sector, such as Containerisation International, if all goes well with the classification. You have to show the sector that you operate worldwide and that the initiative is serious and offers concrete benefits for the long term.

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