Wilhelmsen Ships Service will cooperate with Airbus in the Agency by Air project. This project aims to test shore-to-ship drone delivery services at the Port of Singapore. The project will be launched during the third quarter of 2018.
The two-week shore-to-ship pilot trial will begin by delivering parcels to vessels anchored off the coast of Singapore. Command and delivery centres will be set up at the pier to facilitate the deliveries, with an initial delivery range of up to 3km from the shoreline.
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A second delivery station will be established at an open space in Marina South to extend delivery coverage to more anchored vessels. The unmanned aircraft system (UAS) will include aviation-standard UAVs, ground control stations, air navigation systems, and operational and maintenance procedures.
Wilhelmsen will set up the necessary maritime and port operations, after gaining the necessary approvals from port authorities and securing maritime customers. Airbus will be responsible for all the corresponding aviation approvals, and the running and maintenance of the UAS and its control systems.
While drones have already been considered as one way to deliver items on shore and at sea, the use of UAS in the maritime industry can improve productivity by up to six times, lower delivery costs by up to 90%, reduce carbon footprint, and significantly mitigate risks of accidents associated with launch-boat deliveries.
