DroneHorizon 2025 in Rotterdam: Ports, Innovation, and the Future of Autonomous Systems
August 26 2025
Next week, Rotterdam will host the first edition of DroneHorizon, an international summit dedicated to autonomous and unmanned systems. The event is organized by DronePort Rotterdam together with the Port of Rotterdam, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, The Beacon, and the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA).
DroneHorizon is emerging as a meeting point for ports, governments, industry, and innovators, where Europe works together on the technologies and partnerships that will shape the ports of the future.
📅 September 4 – Maassilo, Rotterdam
The conference day will bring together the international ecosystem, with presentations and commentaries from:
▪️ Ruben Brekelmans, Minister of Defense of the Netherlands
▪️ Meindert Stolk and Arne Weverling, Regional Ministers, Province of South Holland
▪️ Vivienne de Leeuw, CFO, Port of Rotterdam
▪️ Commander Justin Quinn, Director of NATO MUSICC and Secretary JCGMUS
▪️ Andreea Strachinescu, Head of Maritime Innovation Unit, DG MARE, European Commission
The conference will be moderated by Munish Khurana, Senior Business Development Manager ATM & UTM at EUROCONTROL.
📅 September 5 – Innovation Dock, World Port Days
The experience will continue at the Innovation Dock, with 12 exhibitor pavilions showcasing the latest maritime innovations: from foiling boats to dual-use drone applications. All in an environment that combines Rotterdam’s maritime heritage with its vision for the future.
🔭 A look ahead
DroneHorizon starts in Rotterdam in 2025, continues in Antwerp-Bruges in 2026, and will be held in Hamburg in 2027, strengthening cooperation between major European ports.
🎟 More information and tickets: www.dronehorizon.org
