Singapore companies Marco Polo Marine (MPM) and F-drones have teamed up to develop delivery drones for the offshore wind farm sector.
The two companies aim to develop the world’s first large-scale, electric aerial delivery drone to address the sectors growing logistics needs.
MPM and F-drones calculate that such a drone could generation cost savings of more than 90% and be four times faster than current delivery methods.
The two companies said using drones also has an added environmental benefit with a significant reduction in fuel consumption achieved when conducting remote delivery of packages of up to 100kg and emergency deliveries to vessels.
“Utilising drones will result in sharply lower carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions — which includes CO2 and other greenhouse gases — of up to 99%, as compared to sending a supply boat or crew transfer vessel (CTV) for 100 kg loads over 100 km to offshore wind farms,” the companies said in a statement.
The partnership will see both companies co-develop drones customised to send supplies and critical items to offshore wind installations the in Asia-Pacific region.
F-drones, which has been developing drones to deliver cargoes of up to 100 kg over 100 km, will offer its advanced drone technology expertise, while Marco Polo Marine will provide its technical operating and commercial capabilities in the offshore wind sector.
“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,” said MPM chief executive Sean Lee.
“By enabling 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.”
F-drones chief executive Nicolas Ang 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,” he added.
According to the Global Wind Energy Council, the Asia-Pacific region has now taken the lead in global wind power development, accounting for 50.7% of all new installations.
The renewables sector already accounts for about 20% of MPM’s revenues and local analysts have recently been queuing up to sing its praises.
Meanwhile, F-drones has been making a name for itself in the maritime sector with the backing of industry heavyweights such as Eastern Pacific Shipping, Hafnia, Wilhelmsen and Berge Bulk.
