Skyports Drone Services has launched its maritime drone project, "BlueWater 2," marking a significant step forward in drone-enabled delivery and inspection within the UK.
The initiative aims to demonstrate the potential of drones to enhance sustainability in the maritime sector. This includes missions like aerial emissions monitoring, offshore drone delivery, automated port surveillance, and extensive maritime surveillance.
Sustainable advances in shipping
Backed by Innovate UK and the UK SHORE's Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, BlueWater 2 focuses on showcasing how drones can improve shipping efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance air quality.
The long-term goal is to validate and potentially expand these services, ultimately opening up commercial opportunities within the UK and beyond.
Collaborations with port authorities
Skyports is collaborating with UK port authorities, including Portsmouth International Port
Skyports is collaborating with UK port authorities, including Portsmouth International Port, and partnering with the Maritime & Coastguard Authority.
Additionally, they've enlisted Consortiq, known for UAV expertise, and Stehr Consulting for their experience in maritime systems engineering.
Port and vessel emissions monitoring
Ships contribute significantly to emissions as they enter and idle at ports. To address this, from November 2025, a one-month emissions monitoring test will be conducted at Portsmouth International Port using the DJI M350 RTK drone equipped with an Aeromon BH-12 measuring device.
This will specifically monitor pollutants such as SOx, NOx, and CO₂, offering real-time analysis.
Automated port surveillance
Skyports will conduct a three-month guard process using drones at Portsmouth International Port
Scheduled to begin in December 2025, Skyports will conduct a three-month surveillance operation using drones at Portsmouth International Port.
The DJI Dock 2 "drone-in-a-box" installation will enable daily automated routes for enhanced monitoring, piloted remotely from Skyports’ centre in Buckinghamshire.
Offshore drone delivery
Beginning in November 2025 for a month, the project will also explore offshore drone deliveries from Predannack Airfield.
Using the Skyways V2 drone, the initiative aims to automate payload deliveries to moving sea vessels, thereby reducing reliance on emission-heavy logistics.
Long-range maritime surveillance
In January 2026, long-range maritime surveillance will begin above the Straits of Dover. Partnering with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Quantum Systems Vector drone will provide automated and satellite-enabled BVLOS surveillance support, aiding coastguard operations.
Impacts on shipping emissions
Brown stressed the shipping sector's urgent need to lower emissions, which could reach 17% of global
Alex Brown, CEO of Skyports, highlighted the shipping sector's urgent need to reduce emissions, which could reach 17% of global total emissions by 2050 if not addressed.
Alex Brown stated, “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.”
Data-driven UAS operations
Consortiq's COO, Bryce Allcorn, expressed pride in the project, stating, “BlueWater 2 represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that drives meaningful progress in the drone and maritime sectors.”
He emphasised the importance of safe, data-driven UAS operations in enhancing sustainability and efficiency.
Embracing advanced technologies
Ashley Stehr from Stehr Consulting sees the potential in integrating advanced drone technologies, stating that they are crucial to achieving smarter and greener shipping.
Stehr remarked, “Our mission is to enable safe, sustainable, and efficient operations by bridging the gap between innovative technology and practical delivery.”
Development and growth opportunities
Building on the success of its predecessor, BlueWater 2 aims to decarbonise the transport sector in the UK, paving the way for regional development and technological advances.
The initiative is part of the UK SHORE programme, which has allocated substantial funding to support the maritime sector's transition to greener solutions.
Skyports Drone Services (Skyports), the global pioneer in drone-enabled delivery and inspection, has commenced operations for its clean maritime drone demonstrator “BlueWater 2”.
The project will see Skyports demonstrating drones’ potential to improve maritime sustainability in the UK, conducting aerial emissions monitoring, offshore drone delivery, automated port surveillance and long-range maritime surveillance.
How drones can enhance smart shipping?
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 pioneering maritime nations.
Skyports partnering with UK port authorities
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 pioneering 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.
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 1 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.
Shipping-related emissions
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."
He adds, "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."
Data-driven UAS operations
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."
He adds, "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."
Integrating advanced drone technologies
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."
She adds, "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."
Regional development and growth opportunities
BlueWater 2 builds 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.
Variety of vessel types and new infrastructure
BlueWater2 is funded by UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport. UK SHORE has allocated over £230m since 2022 to develop the technologies necessary to decarbonise the UK maritime sector and capture the economic growth opportunity of the transition. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions.
BlueWater2 is one of many projects demonstrating and showcasing their project and technology around the UK in 2025, involving a variety of vessel types and new infrastructure in ports and harbours.
