Marco Polo Marine to develop delivery drones for offshore wind farms

Marine logistics company Marco Polo Marine and Singapore-based F-drones have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to co-develop electric aerial delivery drones for offshore wind farms.

The large-scale delivery drones, which are understood to be a world-first, should result in more than 90 per cent cost savings. Using drones is said to be four times faster than traditional delivery methods, which rely mostly on boats, and occasionally helicopters, as the key modes of transport.

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 100kg over 100km, will offer its advanced drone technology expertise, while Marco Polo Marine will provide technical operating and commercial capabilities in the offshore wind sector.

“It gives us great pleasure to unveil this collaboration with F-drones,” says Sean Lee, CEO of Marco Polo Marine. “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. 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.”

According to a joint statement released by Marco Polo Marine and F-drones, utilising drones will result in a reduction of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) emissions of up to 99 per cent, compared with sending boats.

Nicolas Ang, CEO of F-drones, comments: “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.”