They will participate in a Proof of Commercialisation (POC) by the end of 2021 to demonstrate the commercial viability of time-critical drone deliveries for port logistics missions.
The POC will undertake first and last-mile port logistics missions jointly conducted by DHL, Pen Aviation, and Raya Airways, which is joining the project as the cargo drone operator.
Pen Aviation’s medium-sized drone, the PEN55V will pick up and drop off packages weighing up to 12kg from the cargo ship deck to the port and vice versa, both in the day and at night.
DHL and Pen Aviation will work together to certify and utilise the PEN55V to move shipments to seaports over long distances.
The long-term goal is to set up a mixed fleet of PEN55V and Pen’s heavy-sized cargo drone, the PEN1360V.
The initiative will be performed in compliance with the Civil Aviation Directive CAD 6011, a regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia allowing the development of unmanned aircraft technologies.