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Drones

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, also known as flying drones) can be used for many different purposes in a port.

Transport efficiencyPort/terminal

Introduction

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, also known as flying drones) can be used for many different purposes in a port, such as the inspection of installations, surveillance and detection of criminal activity and transport of small goods in a fast, safe, clean and relatively cheap manner. In the future, drones are expected to have more functionalities within the port community, for example for the transport of (large) goods, and eventually people. The widespread use of drones also presents a security risk, as they can be exploited for malicious activities such as espionage, sabotage, or the smuggling of illegal goods.

Value proposition

  • Offer a fast and low-emission solution

  • Cost-effective solution

    FOr inspection, surveillance, and logistics in and around the port

Drones offer a fast and , low-emission (as they are dominantly electrified), and cost-effective solution for inspection, surveillance, and logistics tasks in and around the port. Drones can lower the risk of certain labor-intensive operations improving worker safety and increasing efficiency. Furthermore, UAVs can be used to take measurements and for monitoring purposes.

Port applicability

The use of flying drones is applicable for all ports.

Groups of innovations

  • Security

    Surveillance of restricted areas and detection of unauthorized activities.

  • Safety

    Assisting in many different safety related activities, for instance supporting missions of shipwreck victims near the port.

  • Inspection and asset management

    Inspection of infrastructure, and carrying out checks and measurements.

  • Environmental and compliance

    Emissions monitoring, taking air and water quality measurements and spill detection and reporting.

  • Logistics and transport

    Deliveries to ships at sea, transport of goods (and possibly people in the future).

Impact

Impact level per aspect
ImpactLevelRemark
Lower energy consumptionMedium impact
UAVs generally consume less energy than conventional vehicles, like helicopters or vessels, for suitable tasks.
GHG emissionsMedium impact
Because UAVs are mostly driven by low-emission fuels and are relatively fuel efficient, the use of drones replaces conventional counterparts, like service vessels, which reduces GHG emissions in the port area.
SafetyLarge impact
The substitution of UAVs in high-risk human activities improves the safety of workers.
Level of automationLimited impact
UAVsincrease the level of automation in ports by enabling semi-autonomous operations. In the future, UAVs are expected to be able to operate
Efficiency & costMedium impact
UAVs offer an efficient and relatively cheap solution for some operations.
Noise reductionNegative impact
UAVs can cause noise pollution
PrivacyNegative impact
UAVs may negatively impact privacy because they enable easy surveillance and recording of people and private spaces.
SecurityNegative impact
UAVs can also be used for criminal activities or hostile military threats. On the other hand, drones can also be used to detect malicious activities.

Port characteristics

Authorities need to take measures to organize the increase in drone flights in a safe and orderly manner, compliant to European Union Aviation Safety Agency EASA )and national regulations. Drones fly mainly in the very low-level airspace (VLL, this is the airspace up to 500 ft above the ground), but for specific applications may also want to fly higher than that. If the airspace remains unregulated, drones create a security risk. Ports can choose to develop a U-space airspace, which is a traffic control system for drones, based on agreements, protocols, communication tools and technical standards, which is often highly automated. The responsibility of managing the airspace does not necessarily lie with the port authority, it can also be undertaken by government bodies or already existing air traffic control.

Barriers and enablers

Enablers

  • Standards & regulationEnabler

    Regulation can also prevent malicious activities using UAVs.

  • EconomicEnabler

    Low operational costs make drones (if possible) an attractive alternative to traditional methods.

Barriers

  • Standards & regulationBarrier

    The port area is classified as vital infrastructure. Therefore, the use of drones in ports must be highly regulated to ensure safety, which can create a barrier for drone operators.

How to implement?

  1. Step 1

    Define use cases and apply for permits

  2. Step 2

    Agree on procedures

  3. Step 3

    Risk assessment and building stakeholder acceptance

  4. Step 4

    Organization and regulation of airspace

  5. Step 5

    Scaling up

Timeline

The arrow below represents the expected development of the TRL of flying drones.
* Technical Readiness Level

What should a port do in the next 3 years?

In the short term, ports can begin the implementation as described in the steps of the previous section.

Investment overview

CAPEX include the drone fleet, infrastructure (e.g. launch and landing sites, charging facilities), creating and adjusting security systems and digital system integration. OPEX include the coordination, surveillance and enforcement of drone use and maintenance of infrastructure.

Stakeholder overview

Below is an overview of the required involved stakeholders.
Blue stakeholders are essential, white stakeholders are enabling

Knowledge base