INTERLAKE STEAMSHIP EXPLORES BENEFITS OF SHORE-TO-SHIP DRONE DELIVERIES FOR CRITICAL CARGO
Using shore-to-ship drone deliveries, Interlake Steamship explored the benefits of drones for supplementing regular deliveries from supply boats, with the potential to cut delays and reduce emissions.
Location: Michigan, United States
Industry: Shipping
Drone used: Speedbird DLV-2
Partners: Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), Newlab
The challenge
Delivering critical cargo to vessels quickly and with a low environmental impact
Operating 10 ships in the Great Lakes, Interlake Steamship transports 18 million tonnes of raw materials per year.
Last-mile logistics for these ships are complicated, especially in delivering critical light cargo to large vessels that are either out at anchor or away from the dock.
Whilst these cargo deliveries are currently carried out by smaller supply boats, these come with associated operational costs and carbon emissions through fuel burn.
The solution
On-demand, shore-to-ship drone deliveries
Partnering with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and Newlab, Skyports delivered a bespoke shore-to-ship drone delivery package, providing a full end-to-end service.
Operating from Interlake’s facility in DeTour Village, Michigan, Skyports operated a Speedbird DLV-2, delivering light cargo to the vessels away from the shore.
To facilitate safer and faster cargo delivery and collection, the drone used winch technology. Descending to approximately 50 meters above the deck of the vessel, the drone winched the delivery to the deck. Once the cargo was delivered/collected, the remote pilot retracted the winch and the drone flew back to base.
The result
Critical cargo delivered quicker, cheaper and more sustainably
Conducting 122 ship-to-shore flights, and transporting a total of 223lbs of cargo, Skyports proved the value of operating drone deliveries in maritime environments, demonstrating how drones could be integrated into the existing maritime supply chain.
By delivering directly to vessels mid‑water, the deliveries demonstrated drones’ operational viability in one of the most challenging logistical environments in the country, highlighting drones’ potential for improving operational efficiency and reducing emissions.
From this initial trial, Skyports was able to 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.
Off the back of the successful trial, Skyports is looking to target permanent commercial operations in the Great Lakes in the near future.
TESTIMONIAL
“We’re proud to have participated in piloting this advanced drone technology aboard the first U.S-flagged vessel. This successful demonstration highlights how unmanned aircraft can play a part in our future as we move critical supplies to working vessels underway on the Lakes.”
Bendan O'Connor
COO, Interlake Maritime Services