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Drones

in the port of Rotterdam

28 March 2024
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Drone Port of Rotterdam

Read more about the drone innovation programme and our focus areas.

Flying in the port area

Rules and procedures for using drones in the port, request flight areas in the port.

U-Space Airspace Port of Rotterdam

Read more about the establishment of safe airspace management in which drones are part of the port’s operations.

Drones, unmanned flying systems, are increasingly being used by companies in the Rotterdam port area, including the Rotterdam Port Authority.

Rotterdam drone space

U-SPACE AIRSPACE PORT OF ROTTERDAM

Drones are becoming more and more part of port operations. For the Port of Rotterdam Authority, safety is paramount. In the next two years, a prototype will be developed to show exactly what is involved in airspace management and what roles and responsibilities there are. In mid-2022, the market consultation will be completed for a partnership on innovative drone traffic management.

Application possibilities

There are therefore many possible applications: deployment at incidents, water pollution and fire fighting, surveillance and inspections, monitoring of port operations and security, damage control, inspections of terminal installations. But also in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, and in emissions. The Port Authority, too, is going to be using drones more and more. Think of the possibilities that drones offer to set up mooring facilities properly for users, but also as support for supervision by patrol boats and inspectors.

A drone flying towards the Pioneering Spirit

Future

In the future, drones will have a major impact on logistics chains and smart mobility. European regulations as of 1-1-2021 pave the way for the development of new applications in the field of unmanned freight and passenger transport. Fast deliveries of crucial production parts to ships at sea and the safe transport of people, for example to ships and drilling platforms but also for business transport in the port, then become possible. In the coming years, the airspace will be made ready for autonomous flights.

DRONE PORT OF ROTTERDAM

In order to further explore and broaden the application possibilities of drones, we have set up the Drone Port of Rotterdam innovation programme. Discover the next steps and our focus areas for the coming years.

Latest news

Oscar van Veen on stage during U-Space Revolution

Major interest in digital airspace management at Rotterdam port

Controlling drone from the Command & Control Centre in the Harbour Coordination Centre.
Innovation

Remote-controlled drone project was launched

Vertiport 'Galileo' steht auf dem Gelände des Future Mobility Park am Merwehaven in Rotterdam zum Abflug bereit
Innovation

First drone vertiport in the Netherlands now operational

Deputy permanent representative Michael Stibbe (left) and Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority

Delegation of the Dutch Permanent Representation to the EU visits port

The Airspace Center in Rotterdam
Digitisation

Airspace Centre for digital management of the very low-level airspace for drones in operation