Yearlong Cargo Drone Trial Launched Between Manhattan & Brooklyn

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Skyports Drone Services has begun a 12-month trial of uncrewed aircraft cargo deliveries between lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Marine Terminal.

Operating weekdays between 9am and 5pm, the drones will follow a fixed route entirely over water to transport nonhazardous items, such as light pharmaceuticals for a New York City non-profit health system. The initiative seeks to evaluate the viability of drone routes as a permanent solution for middle-mile delivery, potentially reducing the number of vehicles on congested roadways while supporting low-carbon logistics.

The flights will be overseen by certified drone pilots and have received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Due to the complex nature of the airspace and the busy maritime environment of the East River, Skyports is coordinating with several agencies, including the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the NYPD, the FDNY, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said, “The Port Authority has put small uncrewed aircraft to use for public service for many years already, from helping in demolition and construction of mega-structures around the region to the maintenance of our marine facilities from the water line up to the tallest heights of our bridges’ cables and towers. More than 75 years ago, the Port Authority revolutionized how the entire world moves goods for commerce with the invention of containerized shipping at Port Newark. Now we are laying the groundwork for the next generation of cargo delivery in this region.”

This yearlong trial follows a two-week proof-of-concept test conducted in January 2026. During that period, the drone completed 135 flights and carried 252 pounds of cargo. Data from the initial test showed that the aerial trip averaged four minutes, significantly faster than the 20 minutes typically required for a vehicle to make the same journey. Projections suggest the drone route could save hundreds of miles of vehicle travel and dozens of gallons of fuel.

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia said, “The movement of goods and people has changed dramatically in the past century since the Port Authority was founded, but there is always one constant: we are always at the forefront, whether it was building the world’s longest suspender bridge or operating the world’s busiest bus terminal. As the operator of this region’s network of airports, we are building on our experience and relationships to make drone cargo delivery a reality so that the entire region can benefit from fewer delivery vehicles on congested city streets and fewer emissions in the air we all breathe.”

Skyports CEO Alex Brown noted the global success of drone logistics, stating, “Around the world, drones have proven themselves an effective tool for getting critical cargo from A to B, providing a quicker and cleaner alternative to regular road transport. Whether it’s traversing heavy traffic or tough terrain, drones have real potential to improve middle-mile logistics. We look forward to demonstrating their potential in New York over the next 12 months, helping to take vehicles off the road and improve the level of care provided to medical patients.”

The trial utilizes the Downtown Skyport and the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, both managed by NYCEDC. These sites are being reimagined as multimodal hubs to facilitate a shift in freight movement from city streets to waterways and the sky.

Jeanny Pak, Interim President & CEO of NYCEDC, added, “NYCEDC is leading the charge in a transportation revolution, leveraging New York City’s assets to reimagine the ways the city moves goods and people – making this drone pilot a reality. Working alongside our public and private partners, we are transforming the city’s waterfront – including the Brooklyn Marine Terminal and Downtown Skyport – into cutting-edge multimodal hubs for sustainable transit and last mile delivery. These efforts are shifting the movement of goods from our city streets to our waterways and skies, paving the way for cleaner, more sustainable transportation and delivery of goods throughout the region.”

Community outreach and coordination with maritime stakeholders were conducted prior to the launch to ensure safety and address local concerns. Stephen Lyman, executive director of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey, stated, “We applaud the ongoing effort to support cargo drone operations along the East River through active coordination among vessel operators, pilots, federal partners, and port stakeholders, building on established communication frameworks that keep this complex harbor operating safely each day. This collaboration is enabling the seamless integration of drone cargo delivery in a way that enhances efficiency, safety, and public benefit across both the waterways and the airspace.”

Upon completion of the 12-month period, the Port Authority, Skyports, and healthcare partners will assess the data to determine the feasibility of expanding the service to other routes across the region.