BVLOS drone trial shows safe and efficient fuel sample transport in complex marine refueling environments
Successful Drone Trial in Singapore’s Busy Port
Skyports Drone Services and TFG Marine have completed Singapore’s first ever drone delivery to and from a bunker tanker vessel. The trial used beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights to transport bunker fuel samples, demonstrating that drones can safely operate in potentially hazardous marine refueling areas.
The trial was conducted in partnership with CBS Ventures and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Its goal was to review safety measures and prove the value of drones for fuel sample transport in Singapore’s busy port. The successful test adds momentum to the adoption of uncrewed systems for logistics in maritime settings.
How the Operation Worked
During the trial, a Speedbird DLV-2 drone launched from Skyports’ designated Take Off and Landing Pad (TOLP) at the Maritime Drone Estate. The drone flew BVLOS to TFG Marine’s vessel, the MT Diligence, where it hovered above deck and used a winch to lower a cargo box.
Trained TFG Marine crew safely loaded the bunker fuel sample into the box and signaled to the remote pilot, who retracted the winch and returned the drone to the TOLP. Once back, TFG Marine personnel collected the sample and brought it to their land-based lab for testing.
All flights were remotely operated from MPA’s Maritime Innovation Lab (MIL) 3.0.
Focused on Safety and Risk Reduction
The trial followed nearly two years of safety research and regulatory discussions. Special care was taken to assess risks such as electrostatic discharge, gas emissions, and vessel movement. The drone’s approach route avoided the most hazardous parts of the tanker and was preprogrammed to exit safely in case of signal loss.
Skyports delivered a complete end-to-end service for the project. This included route planning, regulatory approvals, crew training, drone operation, and data analysis.
Looking Ahead
Alex Brown, Director of Drone Services at Skyports, emphasized the significance of the project: “With Singapore seeing over 130,000 vessel calls annually, according to statistics from the MPA, drone technology has real potential to reduce the risks associated with vessel-to-vessel transfers in Singapore’s port waters and enhance operational efficiency. After extensive research, training and preparation by our team over the last two years we’re proud to see our team successfully and safely completing their trials, providing a proven roadmap to drone operations around marine refueling environments.”
Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering at TFG Marine, added: “TFG Marine is pleased to support innovative technology that can transform traditional maritime activities. We’re constantly looking to improve operational performance and make bunkering services easier with a focus on transparency and reliability through digital solutions. We’re excited to partner with Skyports and the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore on a new drone delivery initiative in one of the world’s busiest ports.”
Skyports plans to continue working with MPA and the maritime community to expand drone operations and strengthen safety guidelines for port logistics.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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