DFDS is testing and developing drones that can help them to keep track of the trailers in the terminals. This is in cooperation with Lorenz Technology, a Danish company developing drones based on Artficial Intelligence.

The drones can autonomously travel around the terminal with the aim to locate trailers, scan and analyse trailer numbers, whilst provide real-time data to the terminal management system to ensure they have the most up-to-date information. This information can then be utilised by terminal staff to assist with tasks such as finding the location of trailers and improved weight management when loading ferries for increased operating efficiency.

This technology has so far been successfully demonstrated in Vlaardingen and Esbjerg on the 10th April. It will be demonstrated to an EU delegation, the Danish Maritime Authority and the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology at an event in Copenhagen on the 28th May.

The EU-funded OptiPort project will further develop these drones with partners; Lorenz Technology, G4S and DFDS. The project will develop and integrate trailer ID and location, damage detection, verification of labels for hazardous materials. G4S will contribute their security prowess and feautures such as detection and tracking of intruders, displaying their real-time location on a 3D map.

Mads Bentzen Billesø, DFDS Senior Project Manager has said;

"The development of vision technology, AI and drones are going really fast and as with other technologies we would like to be involved and support this development. We will gather valuable knowledge about using intelligent tools which will undoubtedly be part of the future of just about anything."

What do you think of the use of drones to track vehicles in ports? Is it something which could also be useful for your business? Let us know