GREEN PORTS: a European exhibition to understand the ecological transition of ports

A MAGPIE exhibition making European research results accessible to citizens and school audiences

Practical information

• Exhibition: Green Ports – How ports are reinventing themselves for a cleaner future
• Venue: Le Havre Port Center – Terminal de la Citadelle, France
• Dates: Every Saturday and the last weekends of the month, from 14 March to 30 August 2026
• Admission: Free of charge
• Audiences: General public, school groups, students
• More information: www.lehavreportcenter.com
• MAGPIE project website: www.magpie-ports.eu

Location: Port of Rotterdam – RDM Loft, Scheepsbouwweg 8-Loft, Rotterdam.
11 June 2026 | 13:30–15:30

Join a live demonstration of autonomous e-barge operations in one of the world’s busiest ports. As part of the MAGPIE project, this event showcases terminal-to-terminal autonomous navigation with collision avoidance in a real operational environment on the Nieuwe Maas and Waalhaven basin.

The programme includes a seminar on the future of autonomous and sustainable port operations, followed by a live on-water demonstration broadcast on screen. Participants will gain insights into safety, scalability, and system integration, and engage directly with experts behind the technology.

Organised by the Port of Rotterdam Authority and MAGPIE project partners.

Programme:

• 13:00 Doors open
• 13:30 Welcome
• 13:40 Introduction to Magpie-project & Demo Autonomous-E-barge
• 13:50 When Ship Talk demo (Oct 2025) – lessons learned
• 14:00 Autonomous Port Operation – live demonstration & explanation
• 15:00 Plenary discussion
• 15:30 Drinks

• 

• 

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

6–10 July 2026 | Toulouse, France

MAGPIE will participate in the World Conference on Transport Research 2026, one of the leading international conferences dedicated to transport research.

The event will take place in Toulouse and will bring together researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss advances and innovations shaping the future of transport systems worldwide.

More info: https://www.wctr2026.fr/

4–6 September 2026 | Rotterdam, Netherlands

MAGPIE will participate in the World Port Days 2026, showcasing the Port of Rotterdam and its activities.

The event will take place in Rotterdam and will offer a unique opportunity to discover port operations, maritime innovation and the role of ports in the energy and transport transition.

More info: https://wereldhavendagen.nl/

Join us on 17 September 2026 at De Doelen, Rotterdam (NL) for the joint final conference of the MAGPIE and PIONEERS projects.

This event will bring together port authorities, policymakers, industry leaders, and knowledge partners to explore what we proved works in practice and how to turn ambition into action. Through concrete demonstration results, hands-on exchange, and tools like the Green Port Master Plan, our final conference will show how innovation can be embedded into long-term port strategies.

Programme

Learning Labs

Theme 1 — Competitiveness, Innovation & Digitalisation
What if ports shared innovation results as fast as they share turnover data?

Theme 2 — Energy Transition, Sustainability & Clean Industries
What if ports, industry, and logistics operators had to follow one shared energy roadmap: what would change?

Theme 3 — Protect & Secure Ports
What if greening is not just an environmental ambition, but the foundation of a secure and resilient port of the future?

Theme 4 — Access to Finance & Investment
What if we redesigned how we finance innovation — would green port transitions finally gain speed?

Theme 5 — Social Cohesion, Skills & Quality Jobs
What if innovation causes half of today’s jobs to change or disappear; are we ready?

Accomodation

Hilton hotel

Weena 10, Rotterdam, 3012 CM, Netherlands

F +31 10 710 8013

www.hilton.com

Boekingslink: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/magpiepioneersconferencehiltonrotterdam/

Stay at Hilton Rotterdam and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on the Best Available Rate when booking via the dedicated link. Experience comfort and convenience in the heart of the city, ideally located just a 5-minute walk from De Doelen.

———————

Bilderberg parkhotel

Westersingel 70, 3015 LB, Rotterdam

T 0031-10-4408144                       

reservation@bilderberg-parkhotel.nl 

No booking link, but instead use the code “MAGPIE”. Guests who wish to stay with us during the congress between 16 and 18 September can mention this code when making their reservation. This will grant them a 10% discount on the best available rate.

Rotterdam Mariott Hotel

Bookingslink: Book your group rate for MAGPIE/PIONEERS

Rotterdam Marriott Hotel
Weena 686, 3012CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands

T +31 (0)10 430 2117

marriottrotterdam.com

Holiday Inn Express Rotterdam – Central Station By IHG

Weena 121, 3013 CK Rotterdam, The Netherlands

T: +31 (0)20 797 9196

www.ihg.comBookingslink: Not received yet