Wilhelmsen Ships Service has been selected to help develop the future UAS regulatory framework for Singapore. The company will receive dedicated funding for its shore-to-ship delivery project.

Following a Call-For-Proposal (CFP) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Ministry of Transport, Wilhelmsen Ships Service is one of just four companies to have received the funding.

The CFP seeks to “support the development of systems and technologies to enable innovations within the wide-ranging use of UAS.”

“The award is something more than just financial support,” explains Marius Johansen, Vice President Commercial, Ships Agency.

“It is another significant recognition of the work we are doing and without doubt places Wilhelmsen at the very top of the list of innovative players in the maritime industry.”

According to Wilhelmsen, the maximum funding available for each project is “SGD1.5 million,” or up to 50% of the total project qualified costs.

Wilhelmsen's winning proposal outlines the potential development of UAS for shore-to-ship deliveries, and highlights how UAS delivery could improve a number of areas, including safety, productivity and efficiency.

Wilhelmsen believes that besides offering a quicker response rate and turnaround time compared to traditional launch boat deliveries, delivery via UAS also has the potential to reduce shore-to-ship delivery costs by up to 90%, and also eliminate the safety risks associated with delivery via launch boat.

Aside from this award, Wilhelmsen also recently signed a detailed Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus, and is currently working with Airbus’ Skyways on a pilot trial to deliver spare parts, documents, water test kits and 3D printed consumables to vessels at anchorage from Singapore port’s Marina South Pier.

Starting in Q3 2018, this will reportedly be the very first-time UAS technology has been deployed in real port conditions, delivering parcels to vessels at anchorage.