A new service launched by the logistics operator ADLC gives companies at the port of Antwerp the chance to have parcels delivered by drone. ADLC has 2 drones available that will pick up and deliver parcels weighing up to 15kg within the port area. The company says that this is not only cheaper, but also better for the environment as the drones’ carbon emission are lower.
After having carried out a number of test flights at the end of last year, the Antwerp logistics company ADLC was given permission to launch a commercial drone flight service between BASF on the Scheldelaan and SGS at the Hansadok. It is there that samples of materials that BASF wishes to use in its production processes are inspected.
The use of drones doesn’t only save time it also results in lower CO2 emissions than other modes of transport. If the samples are transported by road between BASF and SGS it takes around 1 hour to travel between the 2 sites. This is just 10 minutes by drone.T he maximum weight that can be carried by the drones currently used is 15kg. Larger drones exist that can carry up to 200kg, but these would require an additional licence before they could be deployed at the port.
From now on other companies at the port will also be able to use the service. ADLC’s Marc Kegelaers told VRT News that his company has been given a licence allowing them to offer their drone service to all companies withing the Antwerp port area.