The future is here
Autonomous and uncrewed systems are no longer a promise but a reality. In Rotterdam, those opportunities are being exploited and developed, together with other European ports, Dutch government organisations, the European Commission and NATO, to contribute to a new standard for the port of the future.
Collaboration with leaders from the field
Progress at the port is not a solo project. It is the result of collaboration with pioneers bringing technology to life. Arthur Dallau, CEO of DronePort Rotterdam: ‘At DronePort Rotterdam, we bring together policy, practice, technology and education. We apply innovation in operational environments, contributing to safety, securing critical infrastructure, and making maritime and logistics processes more efficient. Digitalisation, driven by sensor technology, identities and data, is the building block supporting all transitions in this area.’
One ecosystem, four domains
The power of this development lies in the connection. All applications form part of one coherent ecosystem. This enables the integration of data, operations, education and decision-making. Vivienne de Leeuw, CFO Port of Rotterdam Authority: ‘For the Port of Rotterdam Authority, innovating means not just renewal, but above all creating value. We invest in solutions that make the port safer and more efficient. Together with our partners, we bring in proven innovations from outside and scale successful solutions from within to other environments. We want to act as an accelerator: innovations that take root here should also be internationally scalable and have an impact far beyond the port's borders.’
On land
Autonomous and uncrewed vehicles are also on the rise at terminals and industrial sites. They are used for inspection, incident response and maintenance. RelyOn develops scenario-based applications where digital platforms simulate realistic training environments in which these systems play complementary roles. Think firefighting, evacuations or infrastructure inspections – all supported by smart sensors and systems.
Vortex collaborates with Flyability to enable safe inspectionsin tight spaces . Collision-resistant Elios drones, equipped with lighting, LiDAR, and ultrasonic measuring equipment, are used to closely examine pipes, tanks, industrial plants and vessels. This eliminates the need for dangerous access or climbing operations and allows inspections to be carried out faster, more safely and fully data-driven.
Underwater
A quiet revolution is taking place beneath the water's surface. Underwater robots inspect quay walls, pipelines and foundations without requiring divers. DroneQ Robotics makes a significant contribution here with its state-of-the-art underwater systems, which detect damage, corrosion and wear early through extremely high-resolution imaging. This technology provides a safe alternative to high-risk diving operations and enables preventive and targeted maintenance.
On the water
The boatmen also deliver packages on board, averaging around 120 per day. ‘Drones offer opportunities in this area,’ according to Bastiaan Ruitenga, KRVE operations manager, ‘from transporting chemical samples to spare parts and documents, even to the high seas. Together with Skeye, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and DronePort Rotterdam are exploring how drones can improve the efficiency and safety of our daily operations. Innovation is in our DNA and represents an end in itself for us. We aim to continuously improve to make our work safer, faster and more sustainable, while ensuring a lasting impact on the port of Rotterdam. The future of our profession is hybrid – with people as well as technology, on water, in the air and on land. KRVE is exploring how to extend its expertise from water to the airspace.’
Since 1895, KRVE (Royal Boatmen Association Eendracht) has been handling the berthing and unberthing of (seagoing) vessels in the port of Rotterdam – in all weathers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their work is crucial: mooring and unmooring ships in a variety of locations and in all weather conditions. They also provide transportation of pilots to and from vessels in the port.
In the air
Drones fly daily over terminals, vessels and industrial sites. They inspect cranes, storage tanks and infrastructure quickly and accurately – without risk to people. Dutch Drone Company (DDC) and Skeye are pioneers in this field.
DDC carries out safe and efficient inspections with aerial drones. Their systems combine high-resolution imaging technology, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, which uses laser pulses to create highly accurate 3D maps of objects and environments), and AI analysis to detect early damage and wear. This eliminates the need for risky work at heights and enables maintenance plans to be targeted and preventive, leading to increased safety, lower costs and better-informed decision-making.
Skeye, with offices in England, Scotland, Romania and the Netherlands, carries out drone inspections and 3D measurements worldwide. Since 2013, the company has established itself as the market leader in BVLOS operations, controlling drones from its flight room in Heinenoord.
HI FROM THE FUTURE
The port of Rotterdam and DronePort Rotterdam are building a solid foundation for the deployment of these autonomous and uncrewed systems. By facilitating collaboration, sharing knowledge, creating space for testing, and activating the ecosystem, we make innovation applicable in practice – from test environment to standard, from idea to implementation. We take you through some interesting applications from partners in the Rotterdam port area.
When we think of drones, flying devices hovering above us soon come to mind. But drones have long since ceased to operate solely in the sky. In the port of Rotterdam, they also operate on the water, below the surface, and even in confined spaces such as pipes, industrial plants or vessels. Autonomous and uncrewed systems that sail, drive, dive and fly already deliver tangible value today: they make operations safer, faster and more sustainable. The future has begun, and Rotterdam is moving with it.
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On land, at sea
and in the air
Drones
Autonomous and uncrewed systems are no longer a promise but a reality. In Rotterdam, those opportunities are being exploited and developed, together with other European ports, Dutch government organisations, the European Commission and NATO, to contribute to a new standard for the port of the future.
The future is here
Progress at the port is not a solo project. It is the result of collaboration with pioneers bringing technology to life. Arthur Dallau, CEO of DronePort Rotterdam: ‘At DronePort Rotterdam, we bring together policy, practice, technology and education. We apply innovation in operational environments, contributing to safety, securing critical infrastructure, and making maritime and logistics processes more efficient. Digitalisation, driven by sensor technology, identities and data, is the building block supporting all transitions in this area.’
Collaboration with leaders from the field
The power of this development lies in the connection. All applications form part of one coherent ecosystem. This enables the integration of data, operations, education and decision-making. Vivienne de Leeuw, CFO Port of Rotterdam Authority: ‘For the Port of Rotterdam Authority, innovating means not just renewal, but above all creating value. We invest in solutions that make the port safer and more efficient. Together with our partners, we bring in proven innovations from outside and scale successful solutions from within to other environments. We want to act as an accelerator: innovations that take root here should also be internationally scalable and have an impact far beyond the port's borders.’
One ecosystem, four domains
Autonomous and uncrewed vehicles are also on the rise at terminals and industrial sites. They are used for inspection, incident response and maintenance. RelyOn develops scenario-based applications where digital platforms simulate realistic training environments in which these systems play complementary roles. Think firefighting, evacuations or infrastructure inspections – all supported by smart sensors and systems.
Vortex collaborates with Flyability to enable safe inspectionsin tight spaces . Collision-resistant Elios drones, equipped with lighting, LiDAR, and ultrasonic measuring equipment, are used to closely examine pipes, tanks, industrial plants and vessels. This eliminates the need for dangerous access or climbing operations and allows inspections to be carried out faster, more safely and fully data-driven.
On land
A quiet revolution is taking place beneath the water's surface. Underwater robots inspect quay walls, pipelines and foundations without requiring divers. DroneQ Robotics makes a significant contribution here with its state-of-the-art underwater systems, which detect damage, corrosion and wear early through extremely high-resolution imaging. This technology provides a safe alternative to high-risk diving operations and enables preventive and targeted maintenance.
Underwater
The boatmen also deliver packages on board, averaging around 120 per day. ‘Drones offer opportunities in this area,’ according to Bastiaan Ruitenga, KRVE operations manager, ‘from transporting chemical samples to spare parts and documents, even to the high seas. Together with Skeye, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and DronePort Rotterdam are exploring how drones can improve the efficiency and safety of our daily operations. Innovation is in our DNA and represents an end in itself for us. We aim to continuously improve to make our work safer, faster and more sustainable, while ensuring a lasting impact on the port of Rotterdam. The future of our profession is hybrid – with people as well as technology, on water, in the air and on land. KRVE is exploring how to extend its expertise from water to the airspace.’
On the water
Since 1895, KRVE (Royal Boatmen Association Eendracht) has been handling the berthing and unberthing of (seagoing) vessels in the port of Rotterdam – in all weathers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their work is crucial: mooring and unmooring ships in a variety of locations and in all weather conditions. They also provide transportation of pilots to and from vessels in the port.
Drones fly daily over terminals, vessels and industrial sites. They inspect cranes, storage tanks and infrastructure quickly and accurately – without risk to people. Dutch Drone Company (DDC) and Skeye are pioneers in this field.
DDC carries out safe and efficient inspections with aerial drones. Their systems combine high-resolution imaging technology, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, which uses laser pulses to create highly accurate 3D maps of objects and environments), and AI analysis to detect early damage and wear. This eliminates the need for risky work at heights and enables maintenance plans to be targeted and preventive, leading to increased safety, lower costs and better-informed decision-making.
Skeye, with offices in England, Scotland, Romania and the Netherlands, carries out drone inspections and 3D measurements worldwide. Since 2013, the company has established itself as the market leader in BVLOS operations, controlling drones from its flight room in Heinenoord.
In the air
The port of Rotterdam and DronePort Rotterdam are building a solid foundation for the deployment of these autonomous and uncrewed systems. By facilitating collaboration, sharing knowledge, creating space for testing, and activating the ecosystem, we make innovation applicable in practice – from test environment to standard, from idea to implementation. We take you through some interesting applications from partners in the Rotterdam port area.
When we think of drones, flying devices hovering above us soon come to mind. But drones have long since ceased to operate solely in the sky. In the port of Rotterdam, they also operate on the water, below the surface, and even in confined spaces such as pipes, industrial plants or vessels. Autonomous and uncrewed systems that sail, drive, dive and fly already deliver tangible value today: they make operations safer, faster and more sustainable. The future has begun, and Rotterdam is moving with it.
HI FROM THE FUTURE