More and more drones are flying over the Port of Rotterdam. Therefore, the organization will manage the airspace more. The drones are mainly from companies and governments, but the Port of Rotterdam also wants to better protect the port against unwanted drones.
The Port of Rotterdam announced the decision with the half-year figures. In recent years, it has already carried out tests with the prototype of an airspace management system that tracks flying drones. That system is now being expanded for the increasing air traffic. The port can also coordinate manned air traffic with the system.
Companies and governments are increasingly using drones to make their work more efficient. That makes it more difficult to spot unwanted drones. The system being tested by the port can help with this.
The port company calls itself the “logistical hub of Europe” and is therefore improving its security. One of the reasons is the deteriorated security situation in the world. In May, the Ministry of Defense also reported that it wants to hold military exercises on Maasvlakte 2 several times a year.
The American import duties on goods from Europe and China have had “no demonstrably negative effect” on the handling of containers in the first half of the year. The company reports that 4.1 percent fewer goods were transshipped, including coal and iron ore. This is because the German steel industry is producing less.
The Port of Rotterdam processed 211 million tons of goods in the first half of the year.