Singaporean companies Marco Polo Marine and F-drones have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop what the two companies describe as ”the world’s first largescale, electric aerial delivery drones for offshore wind farms.”
The use of the co-developed delivery drones is expected to result in more than 90 per cent cost savings, and is four times faster than traditional means, which rely mostly on boats and occasionally, helicopters, as the key modes of transport, the companies said.
The partnership will see both companies co-develop drones customised for deployment in Asia-Pacific, to send supplies and critical items to offshore wind installations.
F-drones, which has been developing drones to deliver cargoes of up to 100 kilograms over 100 kilometres, will offer its drone technology expertise, while Marco Polo Marine will provide technical operating and commercial capabilities in the offshore wind sector.
As the offshore maritime industry transitions to a lower carbon footprint, using drones has an added environmental benefit – a significant reduction in fuel consumption can be achieved when conducting remote delivery of packages of up to 100 kilograms and emergency deliveries to vessels, the companies said.
”The partnership is an example of different industry players with aligned values coming together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is in line with global and Singapore government initiatives,” Sean Lee , Chief Executive Officer of Marco Polo Marine, said.
”By enablin g efficient and sustainable maritime logistics, this collaboration will boost the offshore maritime industry, as it transitions to fuels with a lower or minimal carbon footprint.”
Utilising drones is expected to result in sharply lower Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) emissions – which includes CO2 and other greenhouse gases – of up to 99 per cent, as compared to sending a supply boat or crew transfer vessel (CTV) for 100-kilogram loads over 100 kilometres to offshore wind farms.
Nicolas Ang , Chief Executive Officer of F-drones, said: ”The world’s energy transition not only requires building renewable energy assets, but also the ability to service them sustainably. Our partnership with Marco Polo Marine is a case-in-point, which has the potential to transform the future of logistics across offshore wind farms globally.”