Israel Ports Company Launches Autonomous Drone Pilot at Ashdod Port

Israel Ports Company (IPC) is launching a first-of-its-kind pilot to test the operation of autonomous drones in the port area of Ashdod. This move is being promoted as part of the company's innovation and digital transformation policy, aiming to examine the integration of advanced technologies into routine activities, streamline operational processes, strengthen safety, and improve the resilience of the national supply chain.

As part of the pilot, various applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the fields of maintenance, engineering, safety, and operations will be examined. Among the uses being tested: engineering scans of critical infrastructure, monitoring of berths and cargo, documentation and control of marine and land facilities, and providing a faster and more accurate response to operational events in the port area.

Pilotless Operation: Autonomous Navigation and Real-Time Obstacle Detection

The autonomous drones being tested in the pilot operate without the need for a human pilot in real-time. After the task is defined by the operator in the remote control system—such as scanning a container berth or inspecting crane infrastructure—the drone takes off, performs the mission on a pre-planned route, and lands independently.

In addition, the pilot examines advanced capabilities of:

- Real-time obstacle detection: Identifying dynamic objects on the berth and in the airspace.

- Autonomous navigation and command and control (C2) systems: Ensuring precise, continuous, and reliable flight.

- Operational safety: Reducing human error, improving safety, and increasing operational efficiency.

The pilot is being carried out in collaboration with Cando Drones, an Israeli aviation and technology company specializing in the establishment, management, and operation of autonomous drone fleets. Ahead of the start of activities, IPC management held a professional meeting with the company's management, during which control platforms, airspace management solutions, regulatory aspects, and system integration in the port area were presented.

CEO of Israel Ports Company, Pinhas Tsruya: "Innovation is not just about adopting technologies, but about the ability to connect different worlds for better solutions. The connection between sea and air opens new possibilities for smart port management, and we are examining how drones can be integrated into maintenance, engineering, safety, and operations to improve efficiency, shorten response times, and ensure that Israel's port system remains among the most advanced in the world."

Head of Innovation at Israel Ports Company, Dor Davidian: "Innovation is an integral part of the future of Israel's ports. We continuously examine breakthrough technologies that can improve efficiency, safety, and service in the ports. The field of autonomous drones opens new possibilities, and this pilot is a significant step toward examining their integration into the operational activities of the port system and the Israeli economy."