UK drone operator Skylift UAV and European drone manufacturer FlyingBasket have partnered with offshore wind leader Ørsted to complete the United Kingdom’s first large-scale offshore drone delivery program. The ambitious project, conducted over six and a half weeks, involved more than 600 drone flights, transporting 38.1 tonnes of equipment to over 400 wind turbines at the Hornsea 1 & 2 wind farms off England’s east coast and Walney 1 & 2 in the Irish Sea. This initiative marks a significant advancement in offshore logistics, demonstrating enhanced safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
Revolutionizing Offshore Wind Logistics with Heavy-Lift Drones
The collaboration successfully utilized FlyingBasket’s FB3 heavy-lift cargo drones, which are capable of carrying payloads up to 100 kg. During the program, these drones delivered loads averaging 70 kg directly from supply vessels to wind turbine nacelles, positioned over 100 meters above sea level. This drone-based approach drastically reduced delivery times from hours to mere minutes, with drones completing up to 30 trips per day and even reaching a record of 40 deliveries in a single day. Some turbines were located as far as 75 miles offshore, making this the largest offshore wind drone delivery program to date.
Key Benefits Unlocked by Drone Delivery
The large-scale drone delivery program yielded substantial benefits across several critical areas:
- Increased Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: The program proved to be over ten times more cost-effective than traditional lifting methods, streamlining logistics and allowing teams to focus on core tasks. Deliveries that once took hours were reduced to minutes, increasing operational uptime for the wind turbines.
- Enhanced Safety: Drone operations significantly improved safety by reducing worker exposure in drop zones from approximately 50 minutes to just one minute per lift. This minimizes the risks associated with conventional crane lifts and other high-risk transfers.
- Environmental Impact Reduction: By minimizing the need for multiple vessel journeys, the drone deliveries substantially reduced carbon emissions and fuel costs, contributing to a greener and more sustainable approach to offshore logistics.
- Uninterrupted Operations: The use of drones enabled cargo to be delivered even while wind turbines remained operational, preventing costly shutdowns and ensuring continuous renewable energy output.
The Technology Behind the Deliveries
At the core of this pioneering project were FlyingBasket’s FB3 heavy-lift drones. These all-electric unmanned multicopters feature 8 rotors and a push-pull motor configuration for enhanced safety and performance. Skylift UAV, an experienced UK drone operator, provided expertise in offshore logistics and delivery solutions, including turnkey UAV operations. The integration of Starlink Maritime connectivity also played a pivotal role in enabling remote operation of the drones, further enhancing efficiency and safety.
Expanding the Horizon for Offshore Wind
This successful UK initiative builds upon previous projects, including a 2024 program in the Netherlands where 5 tonnes of equipment were delivered in 10 days. With the UK operation surpassing 38 tonnes in weeks, the scalability of drone logistics for the expanding offshore wind industry has been clearly demonstrated. As offshore wind farms continue to grow larger and further from shore, drone technology is poised to become a cornerstone of safe, efficient, and sustainable operations, ensuring the timely transport of vital supplies and supporting the transition to renewable energy.
Moritz Moroder, CEO and co-founder of FlyingBasket, emphasized that seeing their cargo drones deliver tonnes of payload in the energy sector highlights not just technological progress, but also the power of teamwork and persistence. Toby Moores, CEO and co-founder of Skylift UAV, added that the program proves drone technology can fundamentally change offshore logistics by combining safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
