Toward Seamless Ship-to-Drone Logistics: A Unified Regulatory and Operational Framework for Maritime-Port Integration

Abstract

The use of aerial vehicles or drones in maritime and port logistics can be transformative. Drones can potentially be utilized for several logistical activities, such as servicing ships, supporting offshore operations, inspecting, and conducting emergency deliveries. However, there are challenges that need to be mitigated before they are consistently operational. The greatest problem would be the existence of highly fragmented and unmatchable rules and regulations that govern the utilization of drones in the maritime environment. The governing rules and regulations for aviation, maritime and port operations lack coordination, which makes the drone-maritime integration difficult. This paper attempts to address this problem by creating a framework for adopting drones in maritime and port logistics. The framework focuses on dispatching drones for transportation of light-weighted but high value loads between ships in ports and near the shore destinations. The study used a combination of methods, including reviewing various regulations, interviewing stakeholders and looking at how drones are utilized in the ports. The findings identified three problems to solve: drone regulations are not well coordinated, the sectors do not work well together and there is no practical, standard procedures for operating drones in ports. To tackle these issues, the author proposes a framework in the basis of five approaches: harmonizing regulations, creating a digital system for getting permits, standardizing safety and security protocols, ensuring port environments are ready for drone flights, and coordinating governance for multi modal logistics. This framework supports port administrators, regulators and logistics operators to adopt sustainable and resilient utilization of drones. Deploying drone technology in maritime ports and ship-to-drone operations can be highly efficient, economical, and highly rewarding logistical solutions.