ADPO, Intertek and Helicus present pioneering drone transport project in Port of Antwerp-Bruges

On Thursday, ADPO, Intertek and Helicus welcomed customers and partners at a special event in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to present their pioneering drone transport project. This initiative not only enhances efficiency, safety, and sustainability in sample logistics, but also introduces the first-ever cargo drone route across the River Scheldt, cutting transport times dramatically and setting a new benchmark for the industry. Not only a new benchmark but also a European first with their historical flight of July 9^th a cargo drone across the river Scheldt. This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter in Antwerp port logistics.

The event highlighted how the project marks a significant milestone for the logistics sector. Developed in collaboration with ADPO, a frontrunner in terminal logistics, Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider, and Helicus, a Belgian pioneer in drone aviation services, the initiative introduces an automated drone ecosystem to streamline the transport of chemical samples between the ADPO terminal and the Intertek laboratory. What once took over 35 minutes by road can now be completed in under 8 minutes by air, eliminating delays caused by road congestion, bridge openings, or strikes.

Benefits of the Drone-Based Transport System:

• Faster turnaround time (TAT) for sample analysis and terminal feedback.
• Increased availability of surveyors for inspections.
• Reduced personnel exposure to hazardous substances.
• Lower CO₂ emissions through a sustainable transport alternative.
• A scalable automatic drone ecosystem within the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

Towards Smarter Logistics

This initial pilot demonstrates the potential of drones to revolutionise chemical logistics by creating a supply chain that is more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced. With this project, ADPO, Intertek and Helicus have taken an important step towards exploring more efficient and sustainable options for the transport of chemical samples. The event also highlighted a shared vision on how drone technology can bring concrete benefits in terms of safety, speed and sustainability as underlined by the partners themselves:

“This collaboration with Intertek and Helicus represents a major step towards smarter and greener logistics in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. By cutting transport time to just a few minutes, we are improving both service quality and sustainability for our customers.” - Filip De Dycker, Managing Director at ADPO

Thierry Guffens, Director, Intertek Antwerp, said: “At Intertek, we are committed to driving innovation that improves quality, safety, and sustainability for our clients. By implementing this drone solution, we are not only accelerating turnaround times but also reducing risk and lowering environmental impact – a true win-win for our partners and the wider port community.”

Mikael Shamim, CEO, Helicus, added: “Drones have the potential to fundamentally change the way critical goods are moved. Partnering with industry leaders like Intertek and ADPO allows us to showcase how drone technology can enhance safety, speed, and sustainability in one of Europe’s most important logistics hubs.”