As the Port of Rotterdam reports, last week, a section of the quay at the Yangtze Canal was transformed into a drone port to demonstrate a long-range drone from the Dutch company Avy.
Namely, several drone flights were carried out during the week above the Amaliahaven, Arianehaven and Alexiahaven.
Tests were also carried out on the camera used during drone flights to monitor port activities and inspections of port assets of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. The test and demo week is part of the ‘Drone Port of Rotterdam’ innovation programme and is consistent with the Port Authority’s ambition to test new technologies that make the port safer, smarter and faster.
More specifically, during the week of 25 October, a section of the quay at the Yangtze Canal was converted into a drone port. A construction site hut was set up as a Command Centre and an Avy station was installed on the quay.
For the Harbour Master’s Division, the pilot focused on sea and inland waterway inspections such as bunkering, water pollution, board-to-board transshipment, zoning/hazardous substances, shore-to-board transshipment, air pollution and repairs on board ships.
During the pilot, the Dutch company Avy used its new type of plane drone. This drone can cover longer distances and reach higher speeds, so that the entire port can be covered with two to three devices and in the event of an incident the drone can reach the location very quickly.
The Avy Aera drone that was tested can also carry refrigerated medical supplies. In the future, new developments will be examined and tested, such as the transport of parts and cargo samples so that they can be transported to ships in the future.
