For the next few months on certain days, the newest model of Dutch drone manufacturer Avy, Avy Aera 3, will fly over Maasvlakte and Europoort in the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
The drone is intended to take off automatically from a docking station installed at the Rotterdam-Rheimmont pilot service at Pistoolhaven, Rotterdam.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority said it wants to find out if the Avy Area is suitable for supporting inspectors and shipping masters in their work.
The trials are focused on sea-going and inland shipping inspections by the Harbour Master’s Division on bunkering, water pollution, ship-to-ship transfer, zoning for hazardous substances, shore-to-ship transfer, air pollution (smoke or soot), and repairs on board vessels, according to a statement.
If the white-orange drone detects an open tank filler cap, this might be an indication of illegal degassing by the vessel and call for taking a closer look.
The drone has a wing span of 2.40 metres, a cruise speed of 90 kilometres per hour, and a 95-kilometre range at low energy consumption. That means that two or three drones would suffice to cover the entire port area and have a drone over the spot quickly when an incident occurs.
Additionally, this drone can carry small cargoes of up to three kilos, such as refrigerated medical supplies, vessel parts, or cargo samples.
