Watch: Singapore Completes First-Ever Drone Trial On Bunker Tanker Vessels

Skyports Drone Services and TFG Marine have successfully completed Singapore’s first drone operations involving bunker tanker vessels. The drones were used to deliver and collect bunker fuel samples, making it the first time this type of operation was carried out in the country.

Skyports, which provides drone delivery and inspection services for various sectors including maritime, logistics, healthcare and energy, carried out the trial together with CBS Ventures, TFG Marine, and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

The trial tested the safety of using drones in bunkering operations and demonstrated that they can operate safely around bunker tankers, even under strict safety conditions.

The drones flew from Skyports’ Take Off and Landing Pad (TOLP) at the Maritime Drone Estate to TFG Marine’s bunker vessel, MT Diligence. The drone, operated remotely from MPA’s Maritime Innovation Lab (MIL) 3.0, flew beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) to the vessel.

Once above the deck, the drone used a winch to lower a cargo box, which the trained crew on the ship loaded with the bunker sample. After they moved to a safe area, the drone retracted the box and flew back to shore, where the sample was collected and taken for lab testing by TFG Marine.

This method replaces the usual way of transporting samples using launch boats, which involves people moving between vessels. The drone operation offers a quicker, safer, and more environmentally friendly option.

The trial followed two years of preparation. This included research, regulatory discussions, and safety checks. Before the drone flights, the team tested for electrostatic discharge and carried out real-time measurements for gas and vessel drift on MT Diligence.

The drone flight was carefully planned to approach the vessel at a right angle to the winch area, avoiding the most dangerous zones. In case of any signal issues, the drone was programmed to fly back safely along its original path.

Skyports provided the full service for the trial, which included planning the flight route, getting approvals, training the ship crew, operating the drone, and collecting data for analysis.

A representative from Skyports said that with over 130,000 vessel calls each year in Singapore, drone deliveries could help reduce risks from vessel-to-vessel sample transfers and improve efficiency in port operations. They said the successful trial was the result of two years of hard work and careful planning.

Reference: skyportsdroneservices

Source: Maritime Shipping News