01. Port, Maritime & Subsea Autonomy
How autonomous and uncrewed systems secure, optimise, and transform maritime operations – from protecting subsea infrastructure to enabling autonomous shipping across Europe’s busiest ports and waterways.
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Accelerating Autonomous and Unmanned Systems
in Europe's Critical Domains
Maassilo, Rotterdam: 4 September 2025
In conjunction with:
The Innovation Dock at the World Port Days: 5 September 2025
accelerating autonomous & unmanned systems innovation
Europe’s Multi-Year Cross-Port Summit
DroneHorizon 2025 is the first edition of a multi-year European collaboration between three leading port and innovation ecosystems: the Port of Rotterdam, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg Port Authority, DronePort Rotterdam, and The Beacon. Taking place on 4 September 2025 in Rotterdam, the summit sets the stage for the Innovation Dock on 5 September (at the World Port Days) and explores how autonomous and unmanned systems are being deployed across critical European domains.
An International Platform for Action
DroneHorizon convenes high-level European and international stakeholders, connecting policy, industry, and tech leaders to set shared priorities and accelerate deployment. Alongside Europe’s own innovation community, the welcomes attendees from over a dozen countries, making it a truly cross-continental platform for collaboration and action.
Connected to the Innovation Dock
The connection with Innovation Dock is deliberate: DroneHorizon shapes the strategic agenda, while Innovation Dock brings it to life through hands-on demonstrations, technology showcases, and live networking in a working port environment.
DroneHorizon 2025 Themes
02. Air & Space-Based Autonomy
How autonomous systems, satellites, and advanced connectivity work together to deliver navigation, situational awareness, and real-time data across ports, cities, defence, and disaster response.
03. Dual-Use Innovation & Security
Civil–military collaboration, counter-drone capabilities, and strategies to protect critical infrastructure while ensuring interoperability and governance in complex environments.
04. Ecosystem, Policy & Strategy
The policies, funding, skills, and partnerships needed to move autonomy from pilots to large-scale deployment and build a resilient European innovation ecosystem.
dronehorizon 2025 line-up
Meet Our Speakers
We’ve brought together a strong line-up of speakers at DroneHorizon 2025: key thinkers, decision-makers, and innovators from across Europe. These are the names and faces behind the strategies that are influencing the future of digital and strategic autonomy, defence and dual-use innovation, and port security and resilience.
DroneHorizon 2025 x World Port Days: join us on 4–5 September
Two Events, One Mission
DroneHorizon (4 September) is organized in conjunction with the Innovation Dock (5 September) at the World Port Days. While the two events differ in format and focus, they are deliberately designed to reinforce one another. DroneHorizon zooms in on autonomous and unmanned systems, while the Innovation Dock provides a broader showcase of port and maritime innovation. Join us from 4 and 5 September to explore our joint vision: to drive the responsible integration of these technologies to strengthen operational resilience, digital sovereignty, and strategic autonomy.
Date: 4 September 2025
A Leading Global Platform in Autonomous Systems Innovation
DroneHorizon is a B2B and B2G platform for knowledge exchange and international matchmaking, focused on strategic discussion on autonomous and unmanned systems innovation in critical domains. This indoor summit convenes industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators for dialogue on autonomy, resilience, and cross-sector innovation – where strategy meets action, and the future is debated, demonstrated and defined.
Date: 5 September 2025
Building the Port of the Future at the Innovation Dock: Where Global Port and Maritime Innovation Comes to Life
The Innovation Dock on 5 September at the World Port Days (continuing 6–7 September), is a dedicated B2B and public live showcase spotlighting the future of ports and maritime ecosystems. Across four key themes – energy and circularity, maritime innovation and integration, autonomous and connected technologies, and security and dual-use innovation – visitors explore what’s next through live demos, tech exhibitions, and dynamic experiences.
DroneHorizon Organizers
Strategic Partners
Innovation Partners
ADDRESS
DronePort Rotterdam
Maaskade 127A
3071NK ROTTERDAM
The Netherlands