Helicus has announced the successful launch of the first cargo drone route crossing the Scheldt River in the Port of Antwerp.
Launched on September 18, the new route connects the ADPO Group Nv terminal on the left bank with the Intertek Caleb Brett laboratory on the right bank, transporting untested chemical samples safely and efficiently. This operation follows a maiden flight over the Scheldt on July 9, 2025.
Previously, transporting samples by road took 30 minutes to 60 minutes, navigating through busy port traffic. Now, drones complete the same journey in under eight minutes.
As well as operational partner Intertek, Helicus noted that the new route has been made possible thanks to support from skeyes, FOD Mobiliteit en Vervoer / SPF Mobilité et Transports, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), SkeyDrone, Unifly, BURDI.eu, SAFIR-Ready, SESAR Joint Undertaking, EUROCONTROL and Belgian Defence.
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