Skyports Drone Services, in coordination with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), is conducting proof-of-concept drone delivery operations to vessels on the Great Lakes.
The operation is based in DeTour, Mich., and runs from May 7 to May 27, 2025. It involves beyond visual line of sight drone flights from shore to vessels run by Great Lakes bulk cargo operator Interlake Steamship Co., Middleburg Heights, Ohio. The trial is supported by Newlab, New York.
Skyports said it is using the Speedbird DLV-2 drone, which has a payload capacity of 8.8 lbs. and can operate in wind gusts up to 28 mph. The drone uses a winch system to lower cargo to vessels, hovering approximately 50’ above the deck during delivery. The remote pilot lowers the payload, which automatically stops when it reaches the deck. After delivery or pickup, the drone is flown back to base.
Delivered items include oil samples, potable water samples, small packages, and linens. The goal is to evaluate whether drone deliveries can supplement or replace traditional supply boat operations, especially for time-sensitive or lightweight cargo.
Skyports is managing all operational aspects of the trial, including regulatory approvals, route planning, flight operations, and data collection. The findings will inform future policy and regulatory frameworks and are intended to support a transition to permanent commercial drone operations.
“We first started delivering cargo to ships in Singapore in 2021. Since then, we’ve developed our understanding of maritime operations, and we know which use cases add value for our customers,” said Alex Brown, director of drone services at Skyports. “This is our first U.S. maritime delivery operation, and we’ll be looking to replicate the success from Singapore and Michigan to other ports around the country. Michigan has created a great innovation environment for advanced air mobility, and we’ll be kicking off several more flight campaigns in the state over the next few months.”
