Ashdod Port Successfully Concludes Innovative Drone Pilot

Ashdod Port Company has successfully completed a Proof of Concept (POC) for an autonomous drone system in an active operational environment, as part of the port's maritime technology HUB (Blue Ocean CVC). The pilot was conducted in collaboration with Airwayz, Dynamic Infrastructure, Sentrycs FlightOps, and Propeller Drones, which integrated advanced technologies for managing drone fleets, autonomous control, real-time terrain data processing, and smart airspace control.

The pilot examined the use of drones for security purposes, operational monitoring, and data-driven insights, as part of a global trend turning autonomous drones into a central management tool in infrastructures and complex supply chains. The integration of these systems allows Ashdod Port to manage its airspace alongside sea and land - in a way that increases efficiency, safety levels, and security within the port area: The drones enable real-time monitoring of large areas, identifying exceptional events, and assisting port workers in performing tasks more safely and efficiently. Simultaneously, they enable management and control of the airspace, including identification and dealing with unauthorized drones, a capability that is becoming an international standard in ports and critical infrastructures.

Now, with the successful completion of the pilot, the possibility of expanding the deployment in the port areas and Ashdod Port's innovation embassies worldwide is being examined.

Shaul Schneider, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ashdod Port, said: 'Drones are an integral part of modern operation. Their ability to combine security, operational accuracy, and immediate situational awareness allows Ashdod Port to lead innovation in ports in Israel and the world. A similar system operates in the Port of Rotterdam, and we now want to adopt the model for Ashdod Port. As a vital strategic facility, which must continue to operate at all times, we can elevate the system as an additional defense layer against various threats, as well as for operational and maritime logistics needs.'

Nissan Levy, CEO of Ashdod Port, noted: 'The integration of drones is carried out in a way that emphasizes the combination of technology and human work, not as a replacement but as a strengthening force. We are always on the pulse, to continue to streamline the port's work and lead the field in the country and the world, with innovative solutions.'

On the technological side, the partner companies see this move as a significant milestone. Eyal Zor, CEO of Airwayz, stated: 'We bring to Ashdod Port the experience we gained in the Port of Rotterdam, in managing a full, smart, and safe drone ecosystem. Our system operates as an autonomous control tower that allows the port to approve flights, manage priorities, and identify unauthorized drones in real time. Together with FlightOps, Propeller Drones, Dynamic Infrastructure, and Sentrycs, we demonstrate what a truly smart port looks like, one that controls not only the sea and land but also the skies.'

Roi Avrahami, manager of the Maritime Technology HUB (Blue Ocean CVC), concluded: 'The port's ability to manage its airspace will prevent collisions between drones and aircraft, ships, and critical infrastructures, determine safe or restricted flight zones, and understand at any moment who is in the sky, whether authorized or not. This is a central milestone in building a safer, smarter, and more efficient port where technology directly contributes to process improvement and economic savings, and this is exactly why maritime innovation is created here in Israel.'