There is so much amazing news coming out of the world of technology. Years ago, the shipping industry couldn’t have imagined the use of tech like virtual or augmented reality. Today, they are becoming much more common. What about other technologies that are just now entering the marketplace? Drone delivery is a hot topic, and how can that play into your maritime business? Before you write off the idea of drones altogether, it’s helpful dive deeper into some of the ways this technology is already making an impact. Let’s take a closer look.
Deliveries of critical items.
One potential use of drones in the marine environment is the delivery of essential items that may, otherwise, be difficult to receive. Especially when a ship is not at port, it can be costly to transport items to their location via boat or plane. And sometimes it’s simply not possible based on the ship itself and their location. But a drone does not have those challenges and may be an excellent solution.
Inspections of equipment.
Ships and shipbuilding environments can be tight, especially when it comes to certain equipment or areas of the ship. But a drone equipped with a camera will not have the access challenges that a human body would have. As more people are becoming experts at flying drones, there will be more professional opportunities to use them in non-recreational applications.
Cargo monitoring.
Cargo ships with shipping containers stacked in impossibly tall configurations may also benefit from the use of drones in maritime situations. The use of a drone can inspect containers, report numbers, and other information without risking the safety of workers in these environments.
Reduction of costs.
Finally, while we aren’t certain yet because there isn’t widespread use of drones in this capacity, it is expected that drones may save shipping companies money in the long term. Buying the equipment and hiring expert drone pilots may be far more cost-effective in many marine situations, but the market is continuing to develop.
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Do you have questions about drones and the maritime industry? Talk to the team at Hutco today!
