Making ports future proof

September 20 → October 2

2026 Resilient Port Innovation Mission to the U.S. East & Gulf Coast

The 2026 Dutch Port Innovators Mission heads to the U.S. East & Gulf Coast, home to some of the fastest-growing ports in North America.

The mission strengthens the Dutch Ports & Maritime innovation ecosystem and opens doors for Dutch solutions in port electrification, logistics and maritime technology.

Currently built around two major industry events in New Orleans and Houston, the program combines port visits, matchmaking and networking — with more stops to be announced.

Mission Highlights

Promote Dutch port innovation solutions to East & Gulf Coast ports and terminal operators

Participants

•  AquasmartXL
•  QuinteQ Energy
•  Huisman Equipment
•  All Your BI

Support

NL Diplomatic mission in the U.S.

Our Participants

Who's attending
the Dutch Port Innovators Mission 2026

About AquaSmartXL
Headquartered in Rotterdam, we provide maintenance data solutions for fixed and floating assets, focusing on port infrastructure. Our in-house aquatic drones capture optical, infrared, and depth data to create objective assessments, detailed 3D models, and analyses for on-site inspection.

Track Record
Since our Founding, we have undertaken a broad range of projects for clients, including the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey, Port of Antwerp and the Port of Amsterdam, as well as for various oil and gas companies like Shell, Vopak and Total.

Mission Target
To establish strategic connections with leading ports and their main contractors, while showcasing the value of our innovative solutions. By doing so, we aim to identify new opportunities, strengthen international partnerships.

Aquasmartxl website

About QuinteQ Energy
Advanced Flywheel & Sodium-ion energy storage technology for peakshaving port cranes and optimizing Port operation power consumption.

Track Record
Turn key solution manufactured in The Netherlands. Partnering with Lockheed Martin, backed by the Dutch government. Contracted to supply the Port of Odesa with flywheel energy storage. Proven in port pilots at Rotterdam (Steinweg, Rhenus) and in construction and defence deployments.

Mission Target
‍Establish partnerships for demonstration projects and project funding. Targeting Terminal operators and Port Authorities. Lay the groundwork for scaling in NA market.

QuinteQ website

About Huisman Equipment
A Dutch family-owned company, leading in advanced lifting and handling equipment, delivering sustainable manual and automated solutions for safer, more efficient and more reliable container handling.

Track Record
A global track record in heavy lifting and handling equipment since 1929, backed by our worldwide service organization. In-house engineering and production, with facilities in Europe and China and a local US sales and service presence in Rosenberg, TX. Flagship project: six Automated Stacking Cranes for ECT Delta Terminal in the Port of Rotterdam, followed by a repeat order for twelve more.

Mission Target
‍Promote our Automated Stacking Cranes (ASCs and ARMGs), Rail Mounted Gantry Cranes (RMGs) and Mobile Harbor Cranes (MHCs) to help terminals optimize their operations with precision and reliability.

Huisman Website

About All Your BI
Headquartered in Rotterdam, we are the data intelligence partner for industries that make or move things. We build and manage the governed data foundation that turns terminal, vessel and equipment data into decisions operators can trust, from raw operational data to AI-ready intelligence.

Track Record
More than a decade of managing data and analytics for asset-heavy operators, now extending that foundation into AI. Clients include Ports America, Royal IHC and Van Eerd, and we run the data foundation behind a global shipping company operating over 100 vessels. Our Terminal.exe platform turns yard, quay and gate data into operational decisions.

Mission Target
‍A port moves only as fast as the decisions inside it. We are coming to meet terminal operators, port authorities and technology partners building the next generation of connected, automated and AI-enabled port operations, and to explore where a trusted data foundation can accelerate those plans. We want to make sure the data underneath is as good as the steel above it.

ALL YOUR BI WEBSITE

participate

Join the Dutch Port Innovators Mission 2026

Plan a meeting with Mission Organisation

Want to host the delegation, explore Dutch port innovations for your terminal, or join the mission as a participant? Mission leader Jaap van de Vorst is happy to walk you through the program and what it can bring your organization. Pick a slot that works for you — a 30-minute call is all it takes to get started.
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Plan a meeting

Send an email

Your paricipation in short

• Meeting with relevant stakeholders like Port Authorities and Terminal Operators
• Speaking and pitching opportunities
• Diverse and small-scale consortium ensuring a stage for all participants
• Networking opportunities
• For a participation fee of €3000 (excluding VAT)

Support

Mission Endorsement

This mission is supported by industry experts from both the Netherlands and North-America. Their background showcases port innovation and strengthens opportunities for transatlantic collaboration, providing access to advanced solutions and shared expertise globally.

Allard Castelein

Former CEO Port of Rotterdam

High-energy, delivery-oriented business leader with extensive global experience. Proven skills in sustainable development, environment, operational excellence, strategy and turn-around, business development and delivering commercial results. Proven track record in managing internal and external stakeholders in a wide variety of cultural settings.

Mission partners

In partnership with

This mission moves forward with the backing of two organisations that know the Rotterdam–The Hague region from opposite sides: one puts the city on the international stage, the other funds the technology behind it.

Innovation Quarter

Public investment agency

The public development agency for South Holland. InnovationQuarter invests in the region's maritime and energy-transition startups and scale-ups, from early proof-of-concept through to export-ready growth.

Rotterdam Partners

Destination marketing & investment promotion

Rotterdam's official investment promotion and destination marketing agency. Rotterdam Partners connects international business, events and visitors to the city — and to the port that drives its economy.