FlyingBasket, in partnership with UK drone operator Skylift UAV and offshore wind leader Ørsted, has successfully completed the UK’s first large-scale offshore drone delivery programme, setting a new milestone in offshore logistics.
The project saw over 600 cargo drone flights completed, transporting 38.1 tonnes of equipment to more than 400 wind turbines across the Hornsea 1 & 2 wind farms on England’s east coast and Walney 1 & 2 in the Irish Sea. With some turbines located up to 75 miles offshore, this represents the largest offshore wind drone delivery initiative to date.
Heavy-Lift Drone Operations at Scale
At the heart of the operation were FlyingBasket’s FB3 heavy-lift cargo drones, each capable of carrying payloads of up to 100 kg. Loads averaging 70 kg were lifted directly from supply vessels to turbine nacelles over 100 metres above sea level.
Traditional crane-based lifts that typically require hours were reduced to just minutes, with heavy lift drones completing up to 30 trips per day and achieving a record 40 deliveries in a single day.
Cost, Safety, and Environmental Gains
The six-and-a-half-week campaign demonstrated dramatic improvements in efficiency and sustainability:
- Over 10x more cost-effective than conventional lifting methods
- Significant emissions reductions by minimising vessel use
- Vastly improved safety performance
By removing the need for cranes and reducing vessel journeys, drone operations provided a safer, faster, greener, and more economical alternative, while enabling uninterrupted turbine production throughout the programme.
Transforming Offshore Logistics
The project highlights the scalability and impact of drone technology in offshore energy. Building on a 2024 programme in the Netherlands, where 5 tonnes of equipment were delivered in 10 days, the UK operation surpassed 38 tonnes in just weeks, underlining the growing role of drones in the offshore supply chain.
Moritz Moroder, CEO & Co-founder of FlyingBasket, stated “Seeing the company’s cargo drones delivering tonnes of payload in the energy sector highlights not just technological progress but also the power of teamwork and persistence, a vision that is already reshaping offshore operations.”
Toby Moores, CEO & Co-founder of Skylift UAV, added “The programme proves drone technology can fundamentally change offshore logistics, combining safety, efficiency, and sustainability to accelerate the UK’s renewable energy transition.”
As offshore wind farms expand in size and distance from shore, drone logistics are set to become a cornerstone of efficient and sustainable operations, ensuring safe and secure transport of vital supplies while maintaining uninterrupted renewable energy generation.
A similar drone will be showcased at CUAV Expo in Los Angeles, where FlyingBasket will be exhibiting at Booth 427 on September 2–3.
