Netherlands to trial national drone database in Rotterdam port

The Dutch government plans to build a national database to give authorities a fuller picture of drone flights, with the first practical trial due to begin in Rotterdam’s port before the end of 2026.

The database is intended to bring together information held by public bodies and private companies, which is currently fragmented. The government says this should help identify unauthorised flights and support action against them, while also enabling legitimate drone use.

During the Rotterdam trial, businesses and government agencies will test detection technologies, including radio-frequency systems, sound, cameras and radar, and exchange information from their systems. They will also gain experience with U-space, the European system for managing drone traffic.

The government says a series of unauthorised drone incidents took place in 2025, including near military airbases and Eindhoven Airport. It says there are currently no indications that the threat to national security from drones has increased, but that this could change.

The planned next stages are to add Schiphol Airport in 2027, the North Sea and its vital infrastructure in 2028, and other key public and private facilities towards 2030. A National Expertise Centre for critical entities began operating in the third quarter of 2026.

Rotterdam’s port already uses drones for security checks, transporting some materials and products, infrastructure inspections and rapid response to fires and other incidents. The new trial is intended to improve the shared picture of drone activity, rather than introduce drone use to the port. Dutch police have separately reported an arrest over suspected drone flights near the Eemshaven, another major port, in a case whose details remain limited.