Tarragona moves ahead with drone deployment

It has recently starting using the ITG Drone Solutions’ software DroneSuite for the management of its drone operations, an exciting milestone in the adoption of this technology across the market.

DroneSuite is a cloud based solution for the management and optimisation of drone operations in a complex environment such as port security and surveillance, logistics operations with ships, spill detection, etc.

Drone focus

The port isn’t new to using drones to help drive up efficiency in its port operations.

Since September 2021, the Port Authority of Tarragona, with the assistance of state-owned SENASA, has been working to make the implementation of the use of drones in the public port domain a reality.

The innovative project has consisted of the risk zoning for the use of drones in the port space, the preparation of the operations manual and the different operational safety procedures, which have allowed the Port Authority of Tarragona to be a drone operator.

This has been done hand in hand with the specific training and qualification of nine pilots and management personnel.

Since September 2023, flight operations have been carried out on a recurring basis by Port Police pilots, with uses related to the observation, surveillance and perimeter control of the port area, environmental control and training and support for the management of emergencies that may occur.

Currently, the Port Authority has two drones equipped with the latest technology to monitor port operations.

The largest drone is the ‘Mavic 300 RTK’, which comes equipped with high-definition and infrared vision cameras, as well as a thermal camera and the latest technology in control and command systems.