Unifly, a subsidiary of Terra Drone Corporation, has successfully enabled the first-ever autonomous drone transport of petrochemical samples at the Port of Antwerp. This achievement, part of the SAMPLIFLY project, represents a collaboration between ADLC, SGS, and BASF, and showcases the potential for integrating drone technology into industrial operations.

The SAMPLIFLY initiative stands out for meeting stringent safety and regulatory standards. ADLC has become the first European entity authorized to conduct drone transport of petrochemical samples within a port’s non-segregated controlled airspace. Traditionally reliant on road transport, the introduction of drone logistics has dramatically improved transport times by up to six times, reduced CO2 emissions by 80%, and significantly enhanced operational efficiency for BASF Antwerp and SGS.

Unifly’s advanced NextGen UTM system played a critical role in this project by ensuring safe drone operations through real-time monitoring, automated flight planning, and enhanced situational awareness, enabling seamless Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. The system also facilitated the necessary flight authorizations, with the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority’s use of Unifly’s UTM system being instrumental in managing these approvals.

Since its operational launch in mid-March 2021, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges DronePortal has processed over 5,700 flight authorizations, establishing a robust framework for U-space operations. The implementation of Unifly’s UTM system in collaboration with SkeyDrone has significantly contributed to the evolving drone industry landscape.

Marc Kegelaers, Co-founder of ADLC, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “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.”

Andres Van Swalm, CEO of Unifly, echoed this sentiment, stating, “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.”