Participants at the U-space Revolution in Rotterdam event, hosted by DronePort Rotterdam in March 2024, engaging in a lively activity, holding hands and smiling, inside a bright industrial-style venue with a grass-covered floor.

About DronePort Rotterdam

becoming an innovation ecosystem

Our Story

Niels Kalshoven from the DronePort Rotterdam team collaborating with a representative from Airwayz, analyzing a digital map of the port area on multiple monitors, with banners for U-space Airspace and DronePort Rotterdam visible in the background.

Building a Collaborative Framework

Understanding that technology alone isn’t enough, Arthur and Niels also focused on horizontal integration, uniting public and private stakeholders across different sectors to create a collaborative framework. This approach ensures that autonomous and uncrewed systems can be deployed safely and effectively in areas such as urban development, defense, logistics, and public safety.

Satellite view of the Pistoolhaven area near Maasvlakteweg in Rotterdam, highlighting industrial facilities, waterways, and the surrounding infrastructure, including Hoek van Holland and Breeddiep.

Establishing a Global Hub for Innovation

Collaborating with local and international partners, we began efforts to develop infrastructure benefiting the Port and City of Rotterdam, the broader Zuid-Holland region, and beyond. Recognizing the global challenges and opportunities of drones and autonomous and uncrewed systems, we have made DronePort Rotterdam an international hub for innovation.

Oscar van Veen from the Port of Rotterdam addressing the audience during the DronePort Rotterdam event ‘U-space Revolution in Rotterdam,’ held in a bright industrial-style venue with a grass-covered floor and a full crowd of attendees.

Creating Value that Drives Global Impact

Now, we work closely with regulatory bodies to ensure our innovations comply with current regulations and help mold future ones, paving the way for secure and scalable growth worldwide. DronePort Rotterdam is where we apply autonomous and uncrewed systems in operational environments to create value, benefiting industries and communities globally through collaborative development.

creating impact

Our Mission

DronePort Rotterdam advances the development and deployment of autonomous and uncrewed systems (AUS) in operational environments by developing a collaborative ecosystem based on multi-domain, multi-stakeholder, and multi-value creation principles. We aim to drive innovation, influence global regulations, develop human capital, and deliver solutions that improve safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability.

By integrating multi-domain applications and dual-use technologies for civil and military applications, we impact sectors such as logistics, maritime, urban development, emergency response, and public safety.

solving real-world challenges through applied innovations

The DronePort Rotterdam Vision

The future we envision is one where autonomous and uncrewed systems (AUS) transform industries globally, enhancing efficiency, security, and sustainability.

As a global leader in innovation, we aim to integrate AUS across air, land, water, and space, while fostering a skilled workforce equipped to support these advanced technologies. Our vision encompasses:

1

Contributing to a stronger national security

Collaborate with defense and justice sectors to deploy drones to bolster safety and protection of critical infrastructure.

2

Driving resilient revenue models

Develop sustainable business models that contribute to economic prosperity through the deployment of AUS-related solutions.

3
Achieving strategic and digital autonomy

Reduce dependence on foreign drone-related technologies by investing in local and European solutions.

4
Commitment to sustainable development

Strive for circularity and sustainability in all DronePort Rotterdam activities, including the innovations and projects we support.

By promoting multi-domain and dual-use applications, we strive to lead advancements in logistics, maritime, port and urban development, emergency response, defense, and public safety.

Our goal is create a more secure, efficient, and sustainable world empowered by autonomous and uncrewed systems. 

A drone (autonomous and uncrewed system) equipped with a camera flying over the Port of Rotterdam at sunrise, with large container cranes and cargo ships in the background, capturing the bustling maritime infrastructure.

Join us in driving tangible impact in the AUS industry

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