Zeetijding is a proposal to create a visual, real time link between the original site of Rotterdam Port, and the present location of the port at the mouth of the Maas River entering the North Sea.
The Zeetijding concept arose primarily as a result of the general lack of visible evidence throughout Rotterdam of the immense scale of activity taking place at the present harbour.
Zeetijding was also inspired by the poetical quality that ships' names tend to possess. Contrary to trains and buses, ships always have names. These names speak strongly to the imagination and for this reason should be readable in some way or other for the public in Rotterdam.

Zeetijding makes it possible for the city's public to get a glimpse of the sea traffic in the port of Rotterdam, in a manner that is immediate. This is achieved by sending signals from the port authority's computer to an electronic text display in a public area.
The display can be used in various ways to show what is going on in the port:
- one line is displayed at all times from the port authority's ships' register: the display scrolls very slowly through the list of ships, with a new line appearing at 20-second intervals. The display continues scrolling through the list, with new names appearing and others disappearing.
- On arrival or departure, a ship's name appears on the display. This information remains on the display until such time as incoming data records details of the next announcement. At times, the changes occur swiftly, and at other times the same announcement might be displayed for up to 30 minutes.
In both cases, the text does not 'run' but rather changes via a gradual overflow system. The information is specifically designed to render the display readable from a long distance even in sunlight. The letters used are comprised of white Leds with a high light output.

In sourcing an appropriate site for the display, the aim was to find a horizontal, long narrow strip - capable of accommodating one line from the database - which at the same time emphasized the expansiveness of water. Given this correlation with water, the display would be more suitably situated close to the ground rather than high up on a building.
The bluestone parapet wall situated on the Binnenrotte side of the Blaak station appeared to meet all this criteria; it is close to the ground, expansive, and visible from a great distance.
The display can be perfectly integrated here as part of the overall architecture of the parapet wall and the Blaak station: the curved form increases the angle of view and for people crossing the Binnenrotte it has something of a moving quality.
The display (letter height 25-30 cm) is readable from a distance of 150-200 meters. This is made up of loose components, which are mounted at the front of the bench.
It is faced with 15-mm thick impact resistant transparent plastic in order to render the display vandal-proof. A new bluestone slab, 10 cm. thick, is then placed on top of the parapet wall, covering both the existing slab and the display, thus enabling the parapet to continue functioning as a seating area. This low wall is used intensively during fine weather as well as on market days in the Binnenrotte. Should letters or words be temporarily illegible this need not be a problem: the parapet should first and foremost be utilized as a seating area and not become an isolated art piece or simply an information board.
In this way, the display relates well to its environment. It takes on a distinct presence within the fabric of Rotterdam City while not being too obtrusive. In addition, it becomes incorporated as part of the existing architecture, while also being accessible to the public.

Zeetijding is the official name of the database used by the Nautical Information section of the port authority in relation to incoming, outgoing and warped ships.

year	2000
location	Curved bluestone parapet wall at rear of Blaak Railway station Binnenrotte, Rotterdam NL
brief description	Proposal for an electronic display showing in real time which ships are currently docked, arriving or departing in the port of Rotterdam
animation	Martin van Marion - Hollandesign
further information	Zeetijding is a proposal. Station Blaak was designed by Ir. Harry Reijnders
size	display 2500 x 25 cm height characters: 30 cm.
technical	TB-systems Lichtreclame and Jazo Zevenaar