Europort 2025 Opens In Rotterdam Sailing Toward A New Era Of Maritime Innovation

Europort 2025, one of the world’s largest maritime exhibitions, officially opened at Rotterdam Ahoy with a powerful call for unity and collaboration. Marja van Bijsterveldt, Special Envoy for the Dutch Maritime Industry, inaugurated the event, urging global cooperation in navigating today’s turbulent times. The opening summit, themed “The Benefits of the Roaring Twenties – A Sea of Opportunities,” drew parallels between the creative rebirth of the 1920s and the transformative potential of the 2020s for the maritime world.

Innovation Takes Center Stage

The event kicked off with an impressive presentation by AerogridUAV co-founders Jack Hayton and Jorg Withaar, who unveiled a hybrid drone designed at the request of the Dutch Navy. This new technology combines the vertical lift of a quadcopter and the endurance of a fixed-wing aircraft, capable of autonomous landings on moving vessels. Their innovation reflects Europort’s mission to merge cutting-edge technology with real-world maritime applications, ensuring efficiency and safety at sea.

Following this, a lively panel discussion addressed the major disruptions facing the maritime industry. Experts like Leendert Muller, Martin Bloem, Pascal Coppens, and Jan-Erik Räsänen highlighted the need for collaboration and stronger EU leadership to tackle challenges such as climate change, smart technologies, and global competition.

Strengthening Europe’s Maritime Future

Marja van Bijsterveldt stressed that the maritime sector is central to Europe’s sustainability, security, and economic resilience. The Dutch maritime industry alone employs over 530,000 people and contributes €75 billion to the national economy. She reminded attendees that the sector’s influence extends beyond Europe’s borders, supporting global energy independence and innovation.

Raymond Siliakus, Director of Europort at Rotterdam Ahoy, noted that the sold-out 42nd edition of Europort confirms its global reputation as a hub for innovation. He emphasized that this decade’s defining forces—energy transition, digitalisation, and the power of people are all represented at Europort 2025.

Europort 2025 stands as a symbol of cooperation and progress in the maritime industry. As global challenges reshape the sector, this event highlights the importance of innovation, sustainability, and partnership. With visionary leaders and groundbreaking technologies taking the stage, Rotterdam once again proves to be the world’s gateway to maritime excellence and the next wave of ocean innovation.