- Skyports Drone Services and TFG Marine completed Singapore’s first drone delivery involving bunker tankers, replacing traditional launch boat transfers.
- The trial demonstrated safe, beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations under strict safety protocols, with support from MPA and CBS Ventures.
- The initiative, two years in the making, promises safer, faster, and more sustainable sample transport across Singapore’s bustling port.
In a national first, Skyports Drone Services and TFG Marine have successfully completed drone operations involving bunker tanker vessels in Singapore. The trial involved the delivery and retrieval of bunker fuel samples using drones—marking a major step forward in digitalizing and streamlining maritime logistics, according to Marine Insight.
Collaborative Effort and Remote Operations
The operation was carried out in partnership with CBS Ventures and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The drone flew from Skyports’ Take-Off and Landing Pad (TOLP) at the Maritime Drone Estate to TFG Marine’s bunker vessel, MT Diligence. Operated remotely from MPA’s Maritime Innovation Lab (MIL) 3.0, the drone navigated beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), performing a mid-sea delivery and retrieval of bunker samples.
Efficient and Safe Sample Collection Process
Once over the vessel, the drone used a winch to lower a cargo box, which the onboard crew loaded with a bunker fuel sample. After securing the package, the drone retracted it and returned to shore, where the sample was collected and sent for lab testing by TFG Marine. The drone was pre-programmed with return protocols in case of signal disruptions and followed a carefully planned flight path to avoid high-risk zones onboard.
Replacing Traditional Sample Transport Methods
This innovative method replaces the conventional approach of using manned launch boats to transfer fuel samples between vessels—an operation that typically involves greater human risk and longer transit times. The drone-based solution offers a safer, faster, and more environmentally friendly alternative for bunker sampling in port operations.
Two Years of Planning and Rigorous Testing
The trial followed over two years of intensive planning, research, and safety assessments. Preparatory work included electrostatic discharge tests, live gas detection, and vessel drift evaluations on MT Diligence. These ensured the drone could safely interact with bunker vessels under real operational conditions.
Skyports Leads End-to-End Operation
Skyports managed the entire process, from flight route planning and regulatory clearances to crew training and data analysis. The trial demonstrates the potential of drone technology to revolutionize port operations, particularly in a high-traffic maritime hub like Singapore, which sees over 130,000 vessel calls annually.
A Skyports representative emphasized that the successful operation represents a leap forward in port safety and efficiency. By reducing the reliance on vessel-to-vessel transfers, drone technology could reshape logistics in the maritime industry.
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Source: Marine Insight
