The Port of Antwerp-Bruges announced that six autonomous drones will perform daily flights in the Antwerp port area which would contribute to the overall security of the complex.

The 'D-Hive drone-in-a-box' network — which the port noted is a world-first — is a partnership between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, DroneMatrix, SkeyDrone and Proximus.

Self Photos / Files - a596667d0b7c4ae8aa14b00dd64abad8.png Source: Port of Antwerp-Bruges

In the announcement, the port noted that the Antwerp port area, which is more than 120km² will now be covered by the D-Hive network of six autonomous drones.

"They will provide extra pairs of eyes to help coordinate smooth, safe and sustainable operations in this complex environment," the port said, adding that the drones will offer a unique perspective from the air and enable the port authorities to manage, inspect and supervise a large area, quickly and effectively.

Drone use for berth management, monitoring, inspections

"The port will use the drones for a range of functions including berth management, monitoring, infrastructure inspections, oil spill and floating waste detection, and to support security partners during incidents," it said.

The 18 daily BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drone flights will be remotely controlled from a Command and Control Centre in the heart of the port.

"This is the first implementation worldwide of BVLOS flights on this scale in a complex industrial environment. Unlike VLOS (Visual Line Of Sight) flights, these will take place out of the pilot's sight," Port of Antwerp-Bruges said in the announcement, adding that it is working with partners DroneMatrix, SkeyDrone and Proximus for the D-Hive network.

The port partners were given the green light to launch the drone network two months ago.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges said it already had the vision of building a network of autonomous drones in 2019, because of the important role they could play in helping to create the port of the future.

Several tests have taken place and there was participation in the SAFIR project to investigate the feasibility of drones at the port.

Fully-digital port network

As a result, the ambition of a network of autonomous drones is now a reality.

"Given the huge surface area of the port, drones provide us with leverage when it comes to carrying out our core tasks as a port authority. This drone network will play a crucial role in the further roll-out of the port's digital twin, a digital copy based on thousands of pieces of data from a network of cameras, sensors and drones, giving a real-time picture of what is happening at the port every second," said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

"This first takes us an important step further in developing a fully digital nervous system that will help us manage our port more efficiently and make traffic even safer and smoother," he added.