Digitilisation is transforming the maritime and port sector, and the pace of innovation is accelerating. On Day 1, we explore the technologies that are redefining how ports operate, connect, and evolve. We invite submissions on a broad array of cutting-edge tools and methodologies, such as AI-driven decision support systems, drone technologies, and innovative data standards such as S-100. Whether you're piloting a new solution, scaling up a proven tool, or rethinking how technology supports collaboration, this day is about sharing practical experiences, learning from each other, and discovering what’s next on the digital horizon.

Kleine Zaal

0900 Welcome by Master of Ceremonies Jan Willem Verkiel

0910  IHMA President's welcome  Captain Paul O'Regan, COO Port of Duqm, Oman

0925  Host Harbour Master Welcome  Rene de Vreis, State Harbour Master, Port of Rotterdam

0935  IMO Secretary General Welcome Video

0940  IALA Secretary General Welcome Video

0945  ESPO Connecting Horizons  Isabelle Ryckbost, secretary General, ESPO

1005  Opening Celebration

1015  Opening of Exhibition and PISCES

Distinguished Guests and Delegates will visit the Exhibition and PISCES.

Coffee will be available in the main foyer and on first floor

Congress Session 1.1 starts at 1100 prompt in the Kleine Zaal

Kleine Zaal

Emerging Technologies.........AI and all that data!

Session Chair:  Pieter van Vrijberghe de Coningh, TIDALIS, Managing Director, APAC

1100  Session Chair Intro

1105  An introduction to the world of AI.  Mirko Vaars, Port of Rotterdam.

1125  Unlocking the Value of Data: Situational Awareness in the Age of AI and Intelligent Systems. Sinnikka Hartonen, Kongsberg

1145  Navigating the Future: How Harwich Haven’s Digital Twin Enhances Operational Decision-Making.  William Barker, Harbour Master Harwich Haven Authority, and Toby Mills, Entopy.

1205 S-100 in port and across the Channel.  Tom Mellor, UKHO.

1220 Ask the panel

Lunch will be served in the central hall.

Please take time to visit Exhibition and PISCES

Congress Session 1.2 starts at 1330 in Kleine Zaal

Kleine Zaal

1330  Instruction for workshops and parallel sessions  Jan Willem Verkiel

1335  IHMA Launch of Port Call Optimisation (PCO) Guide  Ben van Scherpenzeel, Port of Rotterdam

1345  Breakout Sessions

Studio Dorro

Chair: John Finch, COO Port Authority NSW

Elena de la Fuente, Amura Smart Solutions

David Yeo, Innovez One

Simon Brandi Mortensen, DHI Seaport Pty Ltd

Peter O'Brien, OMC International

Balkon Op Zuid

Chair: Hans van Driel , Loodswezen

Panellists:

Aernoud Willeumier, Hefring Marine

Pieter Siepel, Loodswezen

Jim Hyslop, Robert Allan

Hall Z

Chair:  Ben van Scherpenzeel

Panellists:

Jonathon Pearce, OMC International

Tom Mellor, UKHO

Antonio de Lieto, C-Smart

Please remeber to visit the Exhibition and PISCES

Refreshments available in main foyer and on first floor

Please be back in Kleine Zaal by 1530 prompt

Kleine Zaal

1530  Expert Panel Discussion1 Summary  John Finch

1540  Technology Workshop 2 Summary Hans van Driel

1550  Technology Workshop 3 Summary Ben van Scherpenzeel

Please make your own way to the Rotterdam City Hall.  The easiest way is by the Metro from Zuidplein direct to Stadhuis.

Sustainability is a shared challenge across the maritime sectors. On Day 2, we focus on how industry is working towards greener operations — together. We welcome contributions and case studies from port authorities, terminal operators and shipping companies on decarbonisation strategies, the use of alternative fuels, and other innovations related to sustainability.

Registration is open, and welcome refreshments will be available in the foyer

Kleine Zaal

Master of Ceremonies Jan Willem Verkiel

New to Congress, PISCES Pitching Competition will present an opportunity for students, small scale and start-up businesses to demonstrate new and innovative technology and ideas which will influence port operations today and into the future. Working in collaboration with Erasmus University Challenge and TU Delft. PISCES will provide an opportunity for selected small enterprises and university students to engage proactively with industry professionals throughout the Congress event. 

08:35 Team A TU Delft group Shalynn, Yvonne & Esther

08:40 Team B TU Delft group Leonie, Daphne & Joshua

08:45 Team C Solphyx

08:50 Team D TU Delft & Erasmus University group Marysia & Ioannis

Kleine Zaal

Sustainable Together

Session Chair:  Jan Willem Verkiel

09:00  Session Chair Intro

09:05  The Port of Rotterdam.  Boudewijn Siemons, CEO Port of Rotterdam

09:25  Competeing aspects affecting port operations, port safety and sustainability. Patrick Verhoeven, Managing Director IAPH

Kleine Zaal

Advanes in technology mitigating weather effects on mooring and ships at berth

Chair: Eric de Neef

09:40-10:30

Martijn Breuer, ShoreTension

Laurence Benn, OMC and Stephan Berger (Bremen)

Marvin Bathmann, Marivation GmbH

Tommy Mikkelsen, Trelleborg

Hall Z 

The impact of weather on efficient and sustainable port operations

Chair: Damian Gonsalves

09:40-10:30

Capacity insights for improved port operations anticipating strong wind events. Marysia Pacyna, Port of Rotterdam student

Enabling Port & Terminal Operations Decisions with Real-time and Predictive Weather Intelligence Scott Beaty, MarineLabs

Expanding Data Horizons Caroline Levey Managing Director, OceanWise

0940 Breakout sessions

Kleine Zaal

Chair: Eric de Neef

Martijn Breuer, ShoreTension

Laurence Ben, OMC International

Stephan Berger, HM Port of Bremen

Marvin Bathmann, Marivation GmbH

Tommy Mikkelesen, Trelleborg

End at 12.10 return to Kleine Zaal for the summary of the Expert Panel Discussions

Port’s role in transition to low carbon shipping

Chiar: Francoise ven den Brink, Port of Rotterdam

Panellists:

Andrew Black, gsts

Claudia Beumer, SGMF

Joaqium Purol, Vector Beta SLU

Zeeshan Raza and Asa Karbebro, RISE

"Ports Bunkering Map #MadeWithInterreg by H2Deri@BSP"

Facilitors:

Gianpaolo Benedetti, Vierion Ltd, and

Martin Mischke, BowWave Consulting GmbH

Location: Grote Zaal

Delegates will have the unique chance to play the UN award-nominated Port Endeavor game.

Port Endeavor is a training tool used to educate port professionals about sustainability and the application of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the maritime industry, based on real life projects of the IAPH World Ports Sustainability Programme. It's a collaborative game where players, representing different port roles, make decisions related to sustainable activities and face challenges within a limited budget, while responding to external events based on real life experiences.

Port Endeavour was co-developed between IAPH, UNCTAD TrainForTrade and APEC.

A guided tour of HCC

Please have your Congress ID Badge available to enter World Port Centre

A guide will direct you from Theater Zuidplein to catch Metro to WPC.

Please make your own way back the Theater Zuidplein on completion of tour to enjoy remainder of Wednesday programme.

A guided tour of HCC

Please have your Congress ID Badge available to enter World Port Centre

A guide will direct you from Theater Zuidplein to catch Metro to WPC.

Please make your own way back the Theater Zuidplein on completion of tour to enjoy remainder of Wednesday programme.

Visit to Port of Rotterdam VTS centre

A guided tour of VTS

13:30 – 14:15 Bus to VTS Rotterdam

14:15 – 15:15 Visit VTS Rotterdam

15:15 - 16:00 Return to Theater Zuidplein

This will be opened after. 

A guided tour of HCC

Please have your Congress ID Badge available to enter World Port Centre

A guide will direct you from Theater Zuidplein to catch Metro to WPC.

Please make your own way back the Theater Zuidplein on completion of tour to enjoy remainder of Wednesday programme.

A guided tour of HCC

Please have your Congress ID Badge available to enter World Port Centre

A guide will direct you from Theater Zuidplein to catch Metro to WPC.

Please make your own way back the Theater Zuidplein on completion of tour to enjoy remainder of Wednesday programme.

Welcome to Circus Rotjeknor! The youth circus from Rotterdam for children and young people aged 3 to 27. Here they take lessons in juggling, acrobatics, balancing, and performing for an audience.

This afternoon you will see the C/D group. These are children aged approximately 9 to 12 years old, who have worked very hard over the past weeks on this performance. With great dedication, joy, and perseverance, they have rehearsed everything you will see today under the guidance of circus teacher Julia.

Please give them a warm round of applause and enjoy the performance of Circus Rotjeknor!

On Day 3, we focus on the human and organisational dimensions of resilience in the port sector. We welcome contributions on safety and security, workforce development, training, and strategies to attract and retain talent — including topics such as diversity, inclusion, leadership, and international cooperation.

Kleine Zaal

Port Security and Resilience

Session Chair: Captain Paul O Regan, COO Port of Duqm, Oman

09:00 Opening Remarks and Introduction Session Chair

09:05 Keynote Speech PIANC and Resilience. Francisco Esteban Lefler, PIANC President

09:20 Port Security threats, resilience and counter measures in Port of Rotterdam. Tom Schoen, Port of Rotterdam

09:40 Response Measures. Arthur van Lohuijzen, Port of Rotterdam

10:00 Real World Experience. Paul O'Regan, Mike Magee & Dmitry Rostophshin

Please remeber to visit the Exhibition and PISCES

Refreshments available in main foyer and on first floor

Kleine Zaal 

Unmanned systems are coming - sooner than you think 

Session Chair: James Stride Chief Harbour Master PLA

11:00 Introduction Session Chair

11:05 Unified Drone Governance in a Complex Industrial Environment: Lessons from the Port of Rotterdam. Kiki Bout, Port of Rotterdam

11:20 Managing Port Airspace: UAS as a Shared Operational Asset. Thomas Lutz, Frequentis

11:35 Why Harbour Masters must take the lead towards digital, sustainable and inclusive ports. Nancy Scheijven

11:50 Resilience of Unmanned Systems in Port Areas - An Operational Perspective. Harmen van Dorsser, Fugro

12:05 Panel discussion

Kleine Zaal

Building Resilient Ports Through People and Technology

Session Chair: John Lloyd CEO, The Nautical Institute

13:45 Introduction Session Chair

13:50 Safety Moment 

14:05 Training the next generation. Professor Syamantak Bhattacharya, Sharjah Maritime Academy

14:20 The role of ship simulation in building and maintaining resilient ports. Jessica Wattle, HR Wallingford, and Louise Fennesey DHM, HHA

14:35 Technology Connects, People Decide: how connected systems support better human decisions across the port call, Olga Davletalieva, Wartsila

14:50 Ask the Panel

Last Chance to visit the Exhibition and PISCES

Refreshments available in main foyer and on first floor

Kleine Zaal

Congress Wrap up

15:30 Final thoughts from Paul O'Regan and René de Vries

15:50 Invitation to Bordeaux 2027. Loic Sinquin. HM Bordeaux.

16:00 Invitation to RAK Ports and Sharjah Maritime Academy. Captain Mike Magee, HM RAK Ports and Sharjah Maritime Academy.

16:15 End of Congress

Adres: Leuvehaven 80, 3011 EA Rotterdam

(announcement of the IHMA award winners)

On Day 4, we will travel by bus to Portlantis, an advanced port simulation and research facility in the Port of Rotterdam. Here, you’ll explore innovative technologies and gain insights into the future of port management. Afterward, enjoy a scenic boat trip through the harbour back to the city, with lunch served onboard as we take in the stunning views of Rotterdam's port area.

On Day 4, we will travel by bus to Portlantis, an advanced port simulation and research facility in the Port of Rotterdam. Here, you’ll explore innovative technologies and gain insights into the future of port management. Afterward, enjoy a scenic boat trip through the harbour back to the city, with lunch served onboard as we take in the stunning views of Rotterdam's port area.

A guided tour of HCC

Please have your Congress ID Badge available to enter World Port Centre

Visit to Port of Rotterdam HCC

A guided tour of HCC

Please have your Congress ID Badge available to enter World Port Centre

After the Port Tour finishes at the Spido jetty, walk across to the WPC for a final opportunity to visit HCC.

This is the final event of Congress 2026.

A guided tour of HCC

Please have your Congress ID Badge available to enter World Port Centre

Visit to Port of Rotterdam HCC

A guided tour of HCC

Please have your Congress ID Badge available to enter World Port Centre

After the Port Tour finishes at the Spido jetty, walk across to the WPC for a final opportunity to visit HCC.

This is the final event of Congress 2026.