“Cooperation is key, unity is strength and that is exactly what we need in these turbulent times.” With that call to action, Marja van Bijsterveldt, Special Envoy for the Dutch Maritime Industry, officially opened Europort 2025 at Rotterdam Ahoy. Her words set the tone for a week in which the maritime world gathers to shape the future of an industry that is vital not only to the Netherlands but to Europe as a whole.
Roaring twenties
Her message perfectly captured the theme of this year’s Opening Summit: “The Benefits of the Roaring Twenties – A Sea of Opportunities.” Drawing parallels between the 1920s, a decade of turbulence, creativity and renewal, and today’s transformative 2020s, the summit explored how the maritime industry can seize new opportunities while confronting the challenges of our age: energy transition, digitalization, and human capital.
1100 exhibitors from over 40 countries and 13 national pavilions have gathered for the sold-out 42nd edition of Europort, reaffirming its status as a cornerstone of global maritime innovation and collaboration.
The summit opened with Jack Hayton and Jorg Withaar, co-founders of Aerogrid UAV, who showcased a new generation of hybrid drones. Developed at the request of the Dutch Navy, their rotating-wing model combines the vertical lift of a quadcopter with the endurance of a fixed-wing aircraft, enabling long-range, all-weather operations and even autonomous landings on moving ships. The duo’s story embodied the spirit of this year’s event: young entrepreneurs tackling real-world challenges through technological ingenuity and cross-sector collaboration.
Collaboration, investment, and stronger EU leadership
The keynote address came from Bob Nolet, the 11th-generation director of Nolet Distillery, world-renowned for Ketel One Vodka. Nolet shared how his family has survived and thrived through centuries of change, from the loss of their U.S. distillery during Prohibition to reinventing their craft for a new generation of cocktail culture. His story of blending tradition with innovation, and resilience with creativity, resonated strongly with the maritime audience. He also spotlighted the distillery’s global sustainability initiative “Garnish with Good”, which empowers bartenders worldwide to make a positive impact in their communities; a reminder that innovation and responsibility go hand in hand.
A fast-paced panel discussion followed, bringing together leading maritime experts: Leendert Muller, CEO Multraship Towage & Salvage and President of the International Salvage Union; Martin Bloem, Vice President of Damen Shipyards Group; Pascal Coppens, China Innovation Expert and author; and Jan-Erik Räsänen, CTO of Foreship Ltd. The panel tackled global disruptions affecting the sector, from the delayed IMO climate plan to Europe’s manufacturing competitiveness and the rapid rise of smart and green technologies. Their verdict was clear: collaboration, investment, and stronger EU leadership are essential to secure Europe’s place in the maritime value chain.
‘Turn strengths into opportunities.’
As the Opening Summit concluded, Marja van Bijsterveldt’s call for unity echoed through the hall. “Let us turn our strengths into opportunities. Within the sector, between government and industry, and with an open view to the world, cooperation is key.”
Her words launched four days of exhibitions, presentations, and networking at Europort 2025, where innovation meets tradition and ideas turn into action. Van Bijsterveldt emphasised the maritime sector’s pivotal role in Europe’s security, sustainability, and economic resilience. She said the maritime industry employs more than 530,000 people in the Netherlands and generates €75 billion in value. “But its importance extends far beyond our borders, to Europe’s energy independence, our critical infrastructure, and our ability to build ships smarter, faster, and cleaner. This is a moment to turn our strengths into opportunities.”
Raymond Siliakus, Europort Director at Rotterdam Ahoy, said the completely sold-out 42nd edition of Europort reaffirms its position as a global platform for maritime innovation. “This decade is defined by the energy transition, digitalisation, and the power of people and partnerships, and nowhere is that more visible than here.”
