Drone filming Port of Rotterdam
The Port of Rotterdam from the air
Drone filming in the Port of Rotterdam and on the Maasvlakte
The Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe: container terminals, tank storage, industry and seagoing vessels, from the city all the way out to sea on the Maasvlakte. You only really see that scale from the air. Drone Chiefs makes aerial footage across the entire port area, for companies, terminals, construction projects and media productions. Flying in the port takes more than a good drone, though. The Open category is not allowed in Dutch seaports, a large part of the area lies in the control zone of Rotterdam The Hague Airport, and permission is needed for take-off and landing. We arrange all of that for you. For port companies we have filmed container terminals and seagoing vessels on the Maasvlakte, tugboats at work, tank storage along the Calandkanaal and the Europoort refineries in the evening. Would you rather show the city itself, with the Erasmus Bridge and the Kop van Zuid skyline? We fly there regularly too, by day and at night. Also for shipping, terminals and shipyards: read more about our maritime drone filming.
What we film in the port
From an overview of the Maasvlakte to a close-up of a crane: aerial footage shows the size and dynamics of the port.
• Container terminals, cranes and seagoing vessels
• Tank storage, industry and power stations
• Construction and infrastructure projects, such as expansions on the Maasvlakte
• Corporate videos and content for port companies
• Aerial photos for annual reports, websites and presentations
How we fly safely and legally in the port
The port has extra rules. We take care of the entire preparation.
• We fly in the Specific category, under our own Operational Authorisation from the Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT)
• In the Rotterdam control zone we request permission from LVNL via GoDrone and stay in radio contact with the tower
• For take-off and landing on public port land we request permission from the Port of Rotterdam Authority
• We coordinate with the site owner and report planned flights in advance to the Harbour Coordination Centre
• We always inform the site owner's safety officers and all neighbouring companies about the flight
• In the Natura 2000 areas around the Maasvlakte we request permission from the site manager
Recent projects
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Showreel 2025
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Domino Printing showroom
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Euro Rijn Group // Brand video
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Elk Projecten
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Cartor, UK
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Office units // Drone and FPV footage
Frequently asked questions about drone filming in the Port of Rotterdam
Can you fly a drone in the Port of Rotterdam?
Only professionally. The Open category is not allowed in Dutch seaports. For the Specific category you need an authorisation from the ILT, and often permission from LVNL and the Port of Rotterdam Authority as well.
Is the Maasvlakte in the Rotterdam control zone?
A large part of the port area lies in the control zone of Rotterdam The Hague Airport. For each location we check which rules apply and what is needed.
How far ahead should I plan a shoot in the port?
Allow at least a week, so there is time for the permissions and coordination with the site owner. Sometimes it can be faster: just get in touch.
Get in touch for a no-obligation quote
Feel free to get in touch for a no-obligation quote for aerial filming, FPV footage or a full video production.
Include the location of your project with your request. That way we can check straight away which airspace it falls in and whether extra permits or flight preparation are needed. Based on that we give you a clear quote. Productions start from €750.
It also helps to briefly describe the project and whether you only need aerial footage or a complete production including editing. Think corporate films, commercials, FPV footage or social media content.
That way we can think along quickly and send you a quote that fits your plans and your production.
