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Wilhelmsen Ships Service to start delivering to ships by drone

Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) will soon be delivering its agency essentials via drone, a move it says marks a seismic shift in how ship agents can support their customers.

WSS said drone technology has obvious applications in the shipping industry and WSS’ ships agency team, rather than the company’s supply chain, or product divisions – has been assessing the business opportunities offered by drones.

“Whether it is deliveries of critical documents or vital medical supplies, tank inspections, or monitoring cargo and stockpile levels, we believe semi-autonomous drone flights can support and further enhance what our ships agency team can offer our customers,” said Marius Johansen, VP Business Solutions & Marketing, WSS Ships Agency.

“Relied upon by owners, operators, vessels and crew to get spare parts, medicine, documents, or cash to master where it needs to be at moment’s notice, drone delivery is a natural extension of our existing agency service portfolio,” Johansen added.

Johansen estimates drone flights will greatly reduce delivery costs by 90% and also cut delivery times.

WSS will launch a large scale working pilot project in one of the world’s busiest ports this year, in spite of the complexity of global aviation rules and restrictions placed on unmaned aerial vehicles.

Jason Jiang

Jason is one of the most prolific writers on the diverse China shipping & logistics industry and his access to the major maritime players with business in China has proved an invaluable source of exclusives. Having been working at Asia Shipping Media since inception, Jason is the chief correspondent of Splash and associate editor of Maritime CEO magazine. Previously he had written for a host of titles including Supply Chain Asia, Cargo Facts and Air Cargo Week.

Comments

  1. Ships’ deliveries by Drone.
    Good news.

    Well reported Jason.
    Would you consider including, on Splash247, a permanent column about the ‘B&R Initiative’?
    Your platform & the project’s founder(s) deserve the appropriate recognition.

    Thanks for the hospitality.

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