The trial took place in the Prinses Margriethaven, an outer port basin on Maasvlakte 2 at the seaward edge of the Port of Rotterdam, where Demcon Unmanned Systems’ V3000 surface vessel sailed autonomously under supervision from a crewed port vessel.
The exemption granted by Harbour Master René de Vries marked the first time the Inland Navigation Police Regulations (BPR) had permitted an uncrewed vessel to operate under real-world conditions.
The new legal provision, introduced in April 2025, allows such trials under strict safety criteria.
The project forms part of the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s fleet renewal programme, which aims to modernise and decarbonise its vessels over the next 12 years.
“Unmanned vessels could complement our current surface vessels,” said De Vries. “It is encouraging that we can now accommodate such initiatives with an exemption from the BPR.”
Demcon’s Managing Director Fedor Ester called the test “an important milestone” toward safe, efficient and sustainable unmanned port operations.
