The Port of Antwerp and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) have entered into a partnership to deploy drones in the Antwerp port area, media reports said. The partnership will boost enforcement and control in the port area which covers more than 120km² and contains sensitive industrial infrastructure.
The use of drones will ramp up the overall security and safety in the port area and pave the way for port officials to handle, monitor and administer a large area. The drone is expected to assist port officials to carry out activities such as enforcement tasks and provide a clear view of the ground situation. The images captured in the drones will be able to access remotely. The photos can also be shared with emergency services if required. The drone will not store any kind of sensitive information and will be used only for monitoring purposes.
The drone deployment will not only be implemented only during regular checks; however, it will also be used during emergency complex situations where quick insights are needed. The drone images will also be further used by the University of Antwerp to train algorithms which can automatically detect any future oil incident.
Port of Antwerp, told the media, “the use of drones will play an increasingly important role in the port of the future. As part of Port of Antwerp’s participation in the SAFIR project, extensive tests have already been carried out to investigate the feasibility of manned and unmanned drones at the port. The ultimate goal of these projects is a network of autonomous drones that can provide a ‘live feed’ of the various port activities, in the context of a smart, safe and efficient port.”