MAGPIE is pleased to announce the participation of Thierry Verduijn, Demo Lead for MAGPIE Demo 6 (Autonomous E-barge and Transshipment, Port of Rotterdam), at Advanced Maritime Technology 2026.

The event will take place from 16–18 June 2026 at Hall 8, RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Thierry Verduijn will contribute as a speaker, sharing insights on smart shipping, autonomous operations, and the future of sustainable port logistics. As Smart Shipping Innovation Manager at the Port of Rotterdam and Professor of Seaport Logistics, he brings more than 30 years of experience in driving innovation across the maritime and logistics sectors.

His work focuses on developing resilient, future-ready supply chains by combining academic research with real-world implementation.

Discover more about the conference speakers: Advanced Maritime Technology | Conference Speakers

Project MAGPIE – intention sharing: The missing piece in automated navigation

 16 Jun 2026 15:20 – 16:50 
This extended and highly collaborative presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. The Port of Rotterdam is the leader of the MAGPIE project, which focuses on making the ports of the future more sustainable. As part of this initiative, the introduction of autonomous, unmanned, electric inland vessels aims to make Rotterdam’s hinterland transport chains more environmentally friendly. However, fully automated, unmanned shipping requires high safety standards on the water. In this context, the digital sharing of sailing intentions between vessels presents new opportunities for addressing safety challenges. To navigate and manoeuvre safely in the port, autonomous vessels need sailing intentions in digital form. Autonomous vessels will also digitally inform other ships of their own intentions.
Speakers

Thierry Verduijn, demo lead Magpie Demo 6 Autonomous E-barge and Transshipment – Port of Rotterdam

Jovana Jovanova, associate professor – Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Rob Zuidwijk, professor, global supply chains and ports – Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University

Ard de Vries, innovation advisor – MTS/Heuvelman Transport Services

Florian Gschwandtner, systems engineer – Argonics