Unifly UTM Supports A Milestone in Drone Logistics for the Industrial Sector

Unifly, a leader in UAS Traffic Management (UTM) solutions, has announced its pivotal role in enabling the first-ever autonomous drone transport of petrochemical analysis samples at the Port of Antwerp. This groundbreaking initiative, part of the SAMPLIFLY project led by ADLC, SGS, and BASF, represents a significant milestone in integrating autonomous drone technology into industrial operations.

The SAMPLIFLY project stands out as an international industry first, complying with strict safety and regulatory requirements. ADLC has become the first company in Europe approved for drone transport of petrochemical samples and the first globally to achieve this within a port’s non-segregated controlled airspace. Traditionally, petrochemical samples are transported by road, but drone logistics have shown to reduce transport time by up to six times, decrease CO2 emissions by up to 80%, and significantly enhance operational efficiency for both BASF Antwerp and SGS.

Unifly’s NextGen UTM system plays a crucial role in ensuring safe drone operations at the Port of Antwerp through real-time monitoring, automated flight planning, and enhanced situational awareness, enabling seamless Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. Serving as a consultant for the SAMPLIFLY project, Unifly was instrumental in obtaining the necessary flight authorizations. The Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, utilizing Unifly’s UTM system, was key in managing these approvals.

“Leveraging the advanced UTM system of Unifly has been instrumental in making the SAMPLIFLY project a reality. This partnership has enabled us to meet stringent safety requirements and pioneer the use of autonomous drones for petrochemical sample transport, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and innovation in the logistics industry,” said Marc Kegelaers, Co-founder of ADLC.

Since its operational inception in mid-March 2021, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges DronePortal has processed over 5,700 flight authorizations, significantly contributing to the evolving U-space landscape. The implementation of Unifly’s UTM system at Port of Antwerp-Bruges, in collaboration with SkeyDrone, has created an environment that fully harnesses the potential of the drone industry.

“We are thrilled to see our UTM system enabling such a transformative project. The successful implementation of BVLOS operations for petrochemical sample transport demonstrates the immense potential of autonomous drones in industrial applications. This project sets a new standard for safety and efficiency in drone logistics,” stated Andres Van Swalm, CEO of Unifly.

Read more:

• Unifly, Terra Drone, and Aloft Technologies Forge Alliance for Global Air Traffic Management
• Terra Drone’s Unifly and SkeyDrone Enhance UTM System in Antwerp-Bruges Port Area
• Unifly Successfully Completes Groundbreaking UTM Cybersecurity Model Project in Partnership with FAA and Industry Stakeholders