Multinational logistics company DSV is adding drones into its offshore logistics repertoire. This after Skyways, a Texas-based developer of long-range autonomous uncrewed aircraft systems, announced a commercial logistics partnership with DSV to provide aircraft in support of the latter’s offshore energy operations.
The company says this partnership establishes its drones as a key flight platform for DSV's logistics services, beginning with an initial deployment supporting North Sea operations from Norden, Germany, this spring.
"Skyways aircraft are built for the logistics challenges that are hardest to solve: long distances, limited access and missions where reliability matters," said Bill Wimberley, chief commercial officer of Skyways.
"Offshore operations put those capabilities to work in harsh maritime conditions, moving critical cargo where traditional logistics can be costly, slow or constrained."
Under the partnership, Skyways will deliver delivery drones, pilot training and technical, maintenance and regulatory support. DSV will manage local flight staffing and work with aviation authorities to secure required flight authorisations.
Skyways drones connect onshore distribution networks with offshore installations, enabling on-demand transport of high-value equipment and critical supplies to wind turbines and energy platforms.
The service provides a competitive alternative to conventional maritime and helicopter logistics at reduced cost, while increasing speed and flexibility.
"Following an extensive market evaluation, Skyways demonstrated the range, payload capacity and operational maturity required for offshore logistics operations," said Mathias Vinter, head of drone services at DSV.
"Those capabilities give us a credible platform for building a scalable drone logistics service for our customers."
The agreement also provides a framework for additional aircraft and expansion into new markets, subject to delivery schedules and applicable regulatory approvals.
Based in Austin, Texas, Skyways develops and operates long-range autonomous aircraft for commercial and national security logistics. The company's aircraft are designed to move cargo and mission payloads over significant distances with less infrastructure, lower operating cost and greater flexibility than traditional aviation solutions.
“By combining aircraft, autonomy, flight operations and supporting infrastructure into a scalable logistics system designed for distributed and demanding environments, Skyways supports commercial and defence customers with flight-proven autonomous logistics capabilities,” the company says.