Logistics company DSV is using autonomous uncrewed aircraft from Texas-based Skyways to support offshore energy operations.

The partnership establishes Skyways’ UAS as a key flight platform for DSV’s logistics services, beginning with an initial deployment supporting North Sea operations from Norden, Germany, this autumn.

Skyways will deliver flight-proven autonomous aircraft, pilot training, and technical, maintenance and regulatory support. Danish company DSV will manage local flight staffing and work with aviation authorities to secure required flight authorisations.

“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.”

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 an alternative to conventional maritime and helicopter logistics with 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.

Skyways and DSV presented their work at last week’s WindEnergy show in Hamburg, Germany.

Based in Austin, Texas, Skyways (www.skyways.com) 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 more flexibility than traditional aviation options. 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 users with flight-proven autonomous logistics capabilities.

DSV (www.dsv.com) moves millions of shipments every year, by air, sea, road and rail. It has close to 150,000 employees in more than 90 countries.