In 2026, the Port of Rotterdam launched the Pre U-space project, a major milestone in the development of future airspace services for drones in the Netherlands. As one of Europe’s largest ports and most complex industrial areas, Rotterdam provides a demanding operational environment where drone operations can deliver clear added value in areas such as inspection, surveillance, incident response, logistics and infrastructure management. At the same time, the density of activities, critical infrastructure and variety of stakeholders require a structured and carefully managed approach to airspace integration.
The Pre U-space project was established to create that foundation. It introduces the first practical building blocks of a future U-space environment, enabling drone operations to grow in a safe, secure and scalable way. Rather than waiting for a full end-state U-space implementation, the project focuses on practical measures that can already be introduced today and expanded over time. In doing so, the Port of Rotterdam is taking a leading role in the phased introduction of U-space services.
MovingDot is proud to contribute to this project together with partner AirHub Consultancy, working on behalf of the Port of Rotterdam. The project is supported by NLR, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW), the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) and EUROCONTROL.
What is Pre U-space?
Pre U-space focuses on three core elements: registration, admission policy and the authorisation of drone flights. This creates a more transparent and controlled airspace environment, enabling a wider range of drone operations while increasing resilience against non-cooperative drones. By improving visibility of regular and authorised traffic, unusual or unwanted activities can be identified more easily.
In this phase, further steps are also taken such as the introduction of an access policy for low-level airspace and, where required, UAS zones with rules and procedures to protect vital areas. Examples include flight restrictions above privacy-sensitive locations or limitations during specific time periods. Pre U-space is expected to be formally established by the end of 2026 through the airspace change process, after which legal obligations will apply within the port area. Supporting airspace design documentation and risk assessments form an essential part of this process.
MovingDot’s Role
Within the project, MovingDot’s primary role is the design of the Pre U-space concept and the execution of the Airspace Risk Assessment. This includes translating operational ambitions into a safe and workable airspace design, identifying hazards, assessing risks and defining appropriate mitigations for implementation.
Our expertise in ATM, UTM and safety assessment enables us to connect traditional aviation principles with the specific operational needs of drone traffic in a complex industrial environment. By bridging the gap between policy and operations, we help ensure that innovation is underpinned by robust safety and practical usability.