SAFIR to demonstrate U-space drone in Belgium
(Posted on 01/11/18)
The SAFIR consortium, a group of 13 public and private organisations, has been selected by Single European Sky ATM Research Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) to demonstrate integrated Drone Traffic Management for a broad range of drone operations in Belgium. The goal of the SAFIR project is to contribute to the EU regulatory process for drones and drive forward the deployment of interoperable, harmonised and standardised drone services across Europe.
The SAFIR consortium (Safe and Flexible Integration of Initial U-space Services in a Real Environment) consists of the following organisations: Unifly, Amazon Prime Air, Belgocontrol, DronePort, Proximus, the Port of Antwerp, Helicus, SABCA, Elia, High Eye, C-Astral, Tekever and Aveillant.
The objective of the demonstration is to help SESAR JU, the entity responsible for coordinating all EU research and development activity in Air Traffic Management, contribute to the European Commission’s U-space vision of ensuring safe and secure access to airspace for drones.
U-space is an enabling framework that will evolve over time to facilitate access to all classes of airspace and operating environments – to include congested airspace – while addressing an appropriate interface with manned aviation and air traffic control. When fully deployed, a wide range of drone missions that are currently being restricted will be possible thanks to a sustainable and robust European ecosystem that is globally interoperable. The timing for U-space is critical given the speed at which the market is growing. The aim is to have foundation U-space services in place by 2019.
SAFIR will carry out multiple studies and demonstrations for drone operations that are viable, robust and ready-to-implement throughout Europe. These demonstrations will include surveillance flights (including container terminal inspection, oil spill inspection) in the Port of Antwerp, parcel delivery, medical inter-hospital transport, high voltage line mapping and pylon inspection. Further the use of telecommunication network technology for data communication with both manned aircraft and other unmanned aircraft will be assessed. Finally, a radar system will be deployed capable of monitoring cooperative and non-cooperative drones.
Latest News
Bulgarian port’s first order for new Konecranes Gottwald MHCs
(Posted on 03/04/25)BMF Port Burgas AD (BMF), one of Bulgaria’s largest port operators, has ordered two Generation... Read more
Another year of record revenue and profit for AD Ports
(Posted on 03/04/25)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group a leading global enabler of trade, transport, industry, and logistics... Read more
Euroports secures long-term future in Venice with 25-year deal
(Posted on 31/03/25)Euroports has announced the renewal of the concession for Terminal Rinfuse Venezia (TRV) at Porto Marghera... Read more
Panama Canal promotes sustainable maritime shipping with NetZero Slot
(Posted on 27/03/25)Contributing to the commitment of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the Panama Canal authority has... Read more
Saguenay Port brings electric-driven Konecranes Gottwald MHC to Canada
(Posted on 27/03/25)The Saguenay Port Authority in Quebec has ordered a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6B Mobile Harbor Crane for... Read more
Cas König joins North Sea Port as new CEO
(Posted on 18/03/25)North Sea Port Supervisory Body has appointed Cas König as the port authority's new CEO. Kö... Read more
Inspirational leader, Trois-Rivières Port President and CEO, Bovin to retire this year
(Posted on 12/03/25)After 19 years at the helm of the Port of Trois-Rivières and a career rich in major projects,... Read more
State-of-the-art cranes for Egyptian multipurpose cargo terminal
(Posted on 06/03/25)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group, an enabler of integrated trade, transport and logistics solutions, has... Read more
Call for swift implementation of Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal
(Posted on 01/03/25)The Port of Rotterdam and Port of Antwerp-Bruges have welcomed the Clean Industrial Deal, through which... Read more
Canadian Government invests $87.1M in Trois-Rivières Terminals project
(Posted on 28/02/25)The Canadian Port of Trois-Rivières is delighted to have received major funding of $87.1 million... Read more
