At the Prinses Margriethaven on Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and Demcon Unmanned Systems successfully conducted a trial with an unmanned surface vessel, the company said in a statement.
It was the first time that such a vessel was permitted to navigate Dutch waters outside a closed test environment.
The exemption for the trial was granted by Harbour Master René de Vries under the Inland Navigation Police Regulations (Binnenvaartpolitiereglement, BPR), which usually require vessels to have a crew on board.
Since a change in the law in April 2025, exemptions can be issued under specific conditions. This was the first BPR exemption of its kind in the Netherlands.
The V3000 surface vessel, developed by Demcon Unmanned Systems, sailed autonomously in the Prinses Margriethaven while being monitored by a crewed vessel from the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
The vessel is designed for depth measurements in harbours, rivers, canals and locks.
The Port Authority sees potential for unmanned surface vessels to improve efficiency in surveying larger areas, including Maasvlakte 2. The trial is part of the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s fleet renewal programme. Over the next 12 years, its vessels will reach the end of their technical lifespan.
The organisation plans to renew its fleet, enhance sustainability and simplify maintenance. Harbour Master René de Vries said that the Authority is examining options to improve port operations: “Unmanned vessels could complement our current surface vessels. Autonomous sailing has not yet been implemented on Dutch waterways. It is encouraging that we can now accommodate such initiatives with an exemption from the BPR.”
Asset Manager Willem Snoek added that the trial aimed to explore operational benefits in large port areas and assess the potential impact on traditional crews.
The V3000, a three-metre-long vessel, uses automation and advanced safety systems to operate independently. Its small size and manoeuvrability allow it to perform inspections in areas that are difficult for crewed vessels to access. It is equipped with advanced sensors that provide accurate depth measurements while reducing noise and vibration.
Demcon Unmanned Systems managing director Fedor Ester called the trial “an important milestone in the further deployment of unmanned maritime operations,” noting that it demonstrates confidence in safe and efficient solutions for port management.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority is a public limited company (Naamloze Vennootschap) owned by the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Dutch State. It manages, operates and develops the Port of Rotterdam, one of the world’s largest seaports. The organisation oversees infrastructure, maritime access, and sustainable port development.
Demcon Unmanned Systems B.V. is a Dutch technology company specialising in the design, production and maintenance of autonomous maritime systems. It is part of the Demcon Group, a privately held engineering and technology enterprise headquartered in Enschede, the Netherlands.
