May 20, 2025
Skyports Drone Services conducts Proof-of-Concept Shore-to-Ship drone deliveries in Michigan’s Great Lakes region
Project to demonstrate the capability of UAV-enabled maritime services, conducted in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification (OFME), serving Interlake Steamship, a bulk cargo vessel operator with operations across the Great Lakes region
London, UK, 20th May 2025 – Skyports Drone Services (Skyports), the global leader in drone delivery and inspection services for healthcare, maritime, logistics and energy use cases, has been conducting a series of Proof-of-Concept Ship-to-Shore beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights and deliveries in Michigan’s Great Lakes region.
Conducted in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and Newlab, the trial is operating from DeTour, Michigan, and running from May 7th-27th 2025, ferrying cargo to Interlake Steamship vessels. The operation looks to validate the benefits of using drones to supplement regular ship deliveries from supply boats, demonstrating the speed, safety, improved sustainability and cost benefits of maritime drone deliveries. Light cargo such as oil samples, potable water samples, flat & small mail and linens/laundry are being delivered during the trial.
The pilot program aims to validate the technology needed for safe and efficient drone integration in maritime environments. It will generate valuable insights to help inform the regulatory requirements and policy frameworks necessary to scale shore-to-ship drone operations, laying the groundwork for the widespread adoption of drone-based logistics in the region.
Taking place as part of a wider trial, the initial proof of concept pilot is the first part of a proposed 3 stages, which will demonstrate the feasibility of other high value use cases for drone deliveries.
During the initial trial Skyports is operating a Speedbird DLV-2, which has a payload of up to 8.8lbs, and is capable of operating in gusting windspeeds of up to 28mph. To facilitate safer and faster cargo delivery and collection the drone is using winch technology. Descending to approximately 50 feet above the deck of the vessel to where the crew are waiting, the remote pilot deploys the winch, which automatically stops when it detects the payload on the deck. Once cargo has been delivered/collected, the crew vacate the area to a safe zone, the remote pilot retracts the winch and flies the drone back to base.
Skyports has provided a full end-to-end service, including route planning, regulatory approvals, drone operations and data collection & analysis. The final objective is to provide a report that summarizes the results of the trial and applicability to other use cases, targeting permanent commercial operations in the near future.
“We first started delivering cargo to ships in Singapore in 2021. Since then, we’ve developed our understanding of maritime operations, and we know which use cases add value for our customers,” said Alex Brown, Director of Drone Services, Skyports. “This is our first US maritime delivery operation, and we’ll be looking to replicate the success from Singapore and Michigan to other ports around the country. Michigan has created a great innovation environment for advanced air mobility, and we’ll be kicking off several more flight campaigns in the State over the next few months”.
“This project proves that Michigan’s greatest natural asset—the Great Lakes—can also be its next mobility testbed,” said Connor McCarthy, AAM Lead at Newlab Detroit. “By teaming up with Skyports, Interlake Steamship, MDOT, and OFME, we’re demonstrating in real time how unmanned aircraft can move critical supplies to working vessels faster, safer, and with a lighter carbon footprint. The insights we collect here will help shape policy and infrastructure for scaled drone logistics across the region, solidifying Michigan’s reputation as the premier place to build, test, commercialize, and scale next‑generation drone technologies.”
“This pilot is a crucial step toward making drone logistics a scalable reality. We’re testing the tech, gathering insights, and shaping the policies needed to safely integrate drones into maritime operations.” said Justine Johnson, Michigan Chief Mobility Officer and Head of the OFME. “Innovation doesn’t thrive in isolation—it needs the right partnerships, policy support, and real-world testing to succeed. This pilot reflects our commitment to ‘Make it in Michigan’ by creating an ecosystem where new technologies can truly take flight.”
“Advanced aerial mobility and its infrastructure will be transformational in the way we transport goods across cities and regions in a safe, expedient, cost-efficient manner, and our department continues to lead the country in that arena,” said Bradley C. Wieferich, State Transportation Director, MDOT. “Michigan already has a robust network of aviation infrastructure, and capitalizing on that system makes the day when shipping critical products via AAM becomes a routine practice closer than ever.”
“Interlake has a strong legacy of innovation and embracing new technologies,” says Brendan O’Connor, COO of Interlake Maritime Services, which operates The Interlake Steamship Company fleet. “While early, we see advances and potential of where advanced drone capabilities could be of value to our maritime industry and our customers.”
-ENDS-
About Skyports Drone Services
Skyports Drone Services is the world’s leading drone airline. We are experts in BVLOS flight for delivery and inspection use cases. We partner with maritime and offshore industries, healthcare providers, infrastructure and asset owners, and public bodies to improve connectivity, safety and sustainability with drone operations. Skyports Drone Services is committed to scaling the drone industry to enable businesses and individuals to reap the rewards of drone technology.
Find out more at: www.skyportsdroneservices.com
About Newlab
Newlab is a venture platform for critical technology startups transforming core industrial sectors. We help startups commercialize faster by aligning Infrastructure, Projects, and Capital in locations with strategic advantages. Newlab operates 4 innovation hubs globally and manages active pilot programming in additional regions.
About Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for Michigan’s nearly 10,000-mile state highway system, comprised of all M, I, and US-routes. It is the backbone of Michigan’s 120,000-mile highway, road and street network. The state owns over 4,700 highways, railroads and pedestrian bridges, 665 miles of railroad track, roughly 2,700 miles of nonmotorized trails, and four airports. Additionally, MDOT administers state and federal transportation programs for aviation, intercity passenger services, rail freight, and local public transit services.
About the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification
The State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and the Executive Office of the Governor. Launched in early 2020, OFME works across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging technologies and businesses. OFME plays a coordinating role – nestled between several state agencies — uniquely positioning the office to accelerate mobility innovation in Michigan.
Michigan’s competitive advantages make the state a place where mobility solutions are born and where companies find long-term success and support.
Learn more at: MichiganBusiness.org/OFME
About Interlake Maritime Services
Interlake Maritime Services is a family of companies with more than 300 years of collective service on the Great Lakes. A family-owned and -led company in its second generation, Interlake Maritime and its more than 50 shoreside employees manage The Interlake Steamship Company, Interlake Logistics Solutions, Lake Michigan Carferry, Interlake Port Services and Soo Maritime Services from its corporate headquarters in Middleburg Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, and its additional regional offices in Ludington, Mich, and Sault Sainte Marie, Mich. Interlake’s commercial fleet moves about 20 million tons of dry bulk cargo annually, including iron ore, pig iron, coils, slag, scrap, finished steel and project cargos.
Find out more at www.interlakemaritimeservices.com
Media contact
Doug Anson
Senior Communications & Marketing Manager
(+44) 7961 444 350