Kaj de Groot to speak at CTAC Europe 2026

Portwise is pleased to announce that Kaj de Groot, Director of Automation Projects, will speak at the Container Terminal Automation Conference Europe 2026 in Valencia.

Kaj brings nearly a decade of experience in terminal design, automation implementation and decarbonisation. His work focuses on helping terminals make better decisions in complex and uncertain operational environments.

Kaj will present a session during day one titled:

Navigating the Realities of Autonomous Vehicles: Technology Maturity, Operational Constraints, and Lessons from Practice

In this focused session, he will address a key challenge for many terminals. Autonomous vehicle solutions are increasingly deployed, yet expected performance is not always achieved.

Kaj will share practical insights on the maturity of autonomous transport technologies, the operational constraints that impact performance, and lessons learned from real implementation projects. Automation remains a priority for terminals aiming to improve efficiency and resilience. However, as reflected across the CTAC programme, performance depends on more than technology alone.

Kaj’s contribution highlights the importance of aligning automation with real operational conditions to achieve lasting value.

CTAC Europe 2026 takes place on 21 and 22 April in Valencia. We look forward to contributing to the discussion and connecting with industry peers.