A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between mobility firm Skyports, ship management firm Thome Group and shipping company Wilhelmsen
During the Singapore Maritime Week 2022’s MarineTech Conference, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat announced the signing of the MoU between the three companies. In April 2021, Singapore’s Marina South Pier acted as a testing ground for the trial run of delivering goods from the pier to vessels docked near the shores.
Based on the trials, the drones were able to deliver their goods within 15 minutes, which is about three-quarters less of the time it took in conventional ship supply restocking, which usually takes about one hour. The MoU takes the ship-to-shore delivery service via drones a step forward, enabling for progress towards full-scale commercialization.
Second portion of trial a step forward
The MoU between the three companies will test the boundaries of limitations in drone deliveries. According to Senior Minister Chee, the new trial period will look at optimizing operational parameters to enable the possibility of earlier realization of the service. He is confident that maritime drones will be the future of maritime service to vessels as the service will be a win-win situation for everyone in the maritime sector – it would be cheaper, more efficient and greener.
Most seafarers would have heard or experienced the notoriety of congestion and long waiting times at the Port of Singapore, and it remains one of the most difficult straits to maneuver due to the sheer number of vessels passing through. The development of ship-to-shore delivery signifies a small victory for seafarers. It brings the hope that waiting times near Singapore shores may not be too hard to bear with and also the possibility that congestion may be a tad bit better.
Crewing Online Media Team
Please email us at marketing@marineonline.com to contact the author for this article.
