Drones for Sustainable Port Logistics

Dossier	LOG.KIEM.01.009
Status	Lopend
Subsidie	€ 39.886
Startdatum	2 september 2024
Einddatum	30 november 2025
Regeling	KIEM Logistiek 2024-2026
Thema's	Duurzaam transport en intelligente logistiek Energietransitie en duurzaamheid Logistiek Economie Onderwijs

The research, supported by our partners, sets out to understand the drivers and barriers to sustainable logistics in port operations using a case study of drone package delivery at Rotterdam Port. Beyond the technical challenges of drone technology as an upcoming technology, it needs to be clarified how drones can operate within a port ecosystem and how they could contribute to sustainable logistics. KRVE (boatmen association), supported by other stakeholders of Rotterdam port, approached our school to conduct exploratory research.
Rotterdam Port is the busiest port in Europe in terms of container volume. Thirty thousand vessels enter the port yearly, all needing various services, including deliveries. Around 120 packages/day are delivered to ships/offices onshore using small boats, cars, or trucks. Deliveries can take hours, although the distance to the receiver is close via the air. Around 80% of the packages are up to 20kg, with a maximum of 50kg. Typical content includes documents, spare parts, and samples for chemical analysis. Delivery of packages using drones has advantages compared with traditional transport methods:

1. It can save time, which is critical to port operators and ship owners trying to reduce mooring costs.
2. It can increase logistic efficiency by streamlining operations.
3. It can reduce carbon emissions by limiting the use of diesel engines, boats, cars, and trucks.
4. It can reduce potential accidents involving people in dangerous environments.

The research will highlight whether drones can create value (economic, environmental, social) for logistics in port operations. The research output links to key national logistic agenda topics such as a circular economy with the development of innovative logistic ecosystems, energy transition with the reduction of carbon emissions, societal earning potential where new technology can stimulate the economy, digitalization, key enabling technology for lean operations, and opportunities for innovative business models.

Eindrapportage

The research project investigated the use of drones for package deliveries in the port of Rotterdam. Drones, as enabling technology, can have many advantages compared with traditional transport methods (cars, trucks, boats). Amongst the advantages are: savings in time going from point A to point B, operational logistic by streamlining efficiency, reduction of carbon emissions and reduction of potential accidents involving people in dangerous environments.Partners of the research are KRVE (Boatmen association), Port of Rotterdam, Wilhelmsen Services, Skeye , Rotterdam and Saxion Universities of Applied Sciences were interested in learning to what extent would drones-as-a-service for package delivery contribute to sustainable logistics.
The most important outcomes of the research indicate that setting up a package delivery in a port is complex as a wide range of stakeholders are present on the ground and in the air. This makes an alignment on the decision for such package delivery uncertain and prone to possible changes related to macro environmental factors (political, regulatory, economic). Technically, although drones can fly without issues, the only viable option for package delivery is using canals as a guiding route so as to avoid possible accidents flying over people and buildings. This conclusion somewhat restricts the present use of drones. Business acceptance for package delivery is medium to high with a preference for a spread of collecting points throughout the port. Critical aspects for choosing drones over other transport forms are fast service and reliability. Concerns are the flying capability for the package to reach its destination (e.g, unfavorable weather conditions), maximum weight capacity and client's inflexibility to adopt drone technology for delivery. Finally, regulatory constraints with an average nine months for issuing the relevant authorisations, constitute a major threat to any possible deployment of drones for delivery in the future.