Skyports commences BlueWater 2 drone demonstrator
Image courtesy Skyports
Conducted in partnership with Portsmouth International Port and the Maritime & Coastguard Authority (MCA), the drone demonstrator will see drones used across four different use cases, including:
- Port and vessel emissions monitoring
- Automated port surveillance and monitoring
- Offshore drone delivery to moving vessels
- Long range maritime surveillance
Operations commence yesterday, with aerial drone emissions monitoring taking place at Portsmouth International Port.
Supported by Innovate UK and UK SHORE’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 6, BlueWater 2 has the overall objective of demonstrating how drones can enhance smart shipping, improve port efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
Longer term, the project has the ambition to validate the expansion and commercialisation of the services, and will see Skyports developing reports outlining the commercial opportunities available for these services both across the UK and to other leading maritime nations.
The demonstrator sees Skyports partnering with UK port authorities such as Portsmouth International Port, alongside maritime and offshore operators such as the Maritime & Coastguard Authority (MCA). To help guarantee the successful delivery of the demonstrator, Skyports is also partnering with leading UAV service provider Consortiq and Stehr Consulting, a trusted specialist in Maritime systems engineering, who bring deep expertise in uncrewed systems and a proven track record supporting complex maritime decarbonisation initiatives.
The planned drone demonstrators
- Port and vessel emissions monitoring:
Ships create significant emissions whilst entering and idling in port. Ports and operators need effective tools to help them monitor and take action to manage these emissions and improve localised air quality.
Commencing in November 2025 and running for 1 month, this demonstrator will see middle distance environment/emissions monitoring conducted at Portsmouth International Port. Flying the DJI M350 RTK, with a Aeromon BH-12 measuring device, the drone will be measuring for pollutants such as SOx, NOx, and CO₂, providing real time analysis through Aeromon Cloud Service (ACS).
- Automated port surveillance and monitoring:
Ports have extensive audit and security requirements, which still rely heavily on fossil fuel-powered patrol boats and vehicles.
Commencing operations in December 2025 and running for three months, this section of the project will see Skyports conducting short-range port surveillance at Portsmouth International Port. Using a DJI Dock 2 'drone-in-a-box' installation and flying a DJI M3DT, it will see drones flying daily, automated, BVLOS routes around the port estate, with the drones piloted from Skyports’ ROC in Buckinghamshire.
- Offshore drone delivery to moving vessels:
Ships in port and at sea, alongside offshore assets, still rely on emission intensive helicopters and vessels for logistics support.
Commencing in November 2025 and running for 1 month, this demonstrator will see ship-to-shore drone deliveries conducted from Predannack Airfield, Cornwall. Flying the Skyways V2, the automated drone will deliver payloads to moving vessels at sea.
- Long range maritime surveillance:
Fisheries inspections and maritime border control operations rely primarily on helicopter surveillance, which are fuel and time intensive.
Commencing in January 2026 and running for a month, this demonstrator will see long-range maritime surveillance conducted from Lydd airfield, above the Straits of Dover. Flying the Quantum Systems Vector, and collaborating with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the drone will provide a fully automated, satcom-enabled, long-endurance BVLOS surveillance service, supporting coastguard operations.
Alex Brown, CEO, Skyports Drone Services, said: “The shipping sector needs to decarbonise and embrace smarter solutions like drones and artificial intelligence. Shipping related emissions are projected to reach 17% of global total emissions by 2050 if left unchecked. BlueWater 2 addresses this key challenge with a scalable solution: low-emission electric and hybrid drones that reduce reliance on fuel and emissions intensive systems. The project will enable operationally ready services previously constrained by regulatory gaps, cost and limited technology validation, whilst opening access to a high-value market with urgent demand for low-emission alternatives.”
Bryce Allcorn, Chief Operating Officer, Consortiq, said: "BlueWater 2 represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that drives meaningful progress in the drone and maritime sectors. At Consortiq, we’re proud to bring our operational expertise, regulatory insight, and consultancy pedigree to a project that demonstrates how safe, data-driven UAS operations can enhance sustainability, efficiency, and compliance across UK ports and offshore environments.
"Our role is to ensure that innovative drone concepts like these translate into practical, scalable solutions that seamlessly integrate into the UK’s evolving airspace framework, while building on the learnings and success from the original BlueWater project in the Solent region. Consortiq once again welcomes the opportunity to work with Skyports alongside Stehr Consulting to achieve a meaningful outcome."
Ashley Stehr, Director, Stehr Consulting, said: "As trusted problem solvers in the Maritime sector, Stehr Consulting is proud to support BlueWater 2. Our team combines deep systems engineering expertise with hands-on experience in uncrewed air systems for Maritime applications. We believe that integrating advanced drone technologies is key to unlocking smarter, greener shipping and delivering real-world impact for ports, operators, and the wider Maritime ecosystem. Our mission is to enable safe, sustainable, and efficient operations by bridging the gap between innovative technology and practical delivery. We’re committed to supporting industry and government partners as they navigate the transition to Net Zero."
BlueWater 2 builds on the previous success of BlueWater 1, conducted in early 2025, which provided an initial trial that used drones for real-time surveillance and monitoring for safer, greener more efficient maritime operations.
Working as a part of UK SHORE, BlueWater 2 sits at the forefront of helping decarbonise one of the most potent sectors for carbon emissions in the UK – transport. It will also help to drive regional development and growth opportunities through the development of new technologies and industries.
