Antwerp Port, Amazon Test Drones
The SAFIR consortium of partners – Amazon Prime Air, Aveillant, C-Astral, DronePort, Elia, Explicit, Helicus, Port of Antwerp, Proximus, SABCA, Skeyes, Tekever and Unifly – tested the first simultaneous drone flights today in Sint-Truiden DronePort, for among other things package deliveries, inspection flights and emergency situations. European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc also followed the demonstrations from the front row. SAFIR stands for "Safe and Flexible Integration of Initial U-space Services in a Real Environment," a project funded by the EU.After the
Port of Antwerp Tests Autonomous Sounding Boat
has been developed in partnership between the Port Authority and dotOcean and is only one of the many initiatives being taken by the Port Authority in the field of digital innovation.Innovation is a powerful response to today's fast-changing world and so is a main component of the future vision of Antwerp Port Authority. In collaboration with the port community the Port Authority is constantly working to develop new technologies and methods and to incorporate them in its operations."As a world-class player we as a port aim to be a leader in developing innovative concepts," explained Piet Opstaele
Hydrex to Expand Antwerp Facility
Antwerp Port Authority has supported Hydrex Underwater Technologies’ plan to expand its existing 5000m² site on Asiadok on the River Scheldt with new workshops and offices. As part of its expansion, the result of organic growth over the past two years, Hydrex has also refurbished its dive support workboats and increased its manpower by 25 percent to strengthen its diver-technician capability. Hydrex Chairman Boud Van Rompay said, “The new facility together with our recent recruitment drive is consequent of market demand for swift and cost-effective underwater hull and
Hydrex Response Repairs Stern in Record Time
Hydrex Underwater Technology has completed the emergency stern tube seal repair to a 134m chemical tanker, after the Antwerp Port Authority demanded an underwater inspection and in-situ repair to the vessel before allowing it to set sail. The vessel’s crew had carried our temporary repairs to stem the flow of lubricating oil from the stern, but the Port would not let the ship continue on her schedule before a dive team had inspected the propeller shaft seals. At the request of the shipowner, Antwerp-based Hydrex mobilized a dive team which found the temporary fix had not completely stopped
SENER Develops Multipurpose Subsea Support Vessel
; SENER has recently developed Stern Drive Tugs (Ona Don Lorenzo for Tras-Ona, Argentina and VB Bravo, VB Campeador and VB Corsario for Boluda, Spain), Voith Tractors (Tommaso Onorato for Moby S.P.A., Italy, Solan and Bonxie for the Shetland Island Council, Scotland and 40, 41, 42 and 43 for the Antwerp Port Authority, Belgium) and Rescue Tugs (María de Maeztu, María Zambrano, María Pita, Marta Mata, SAR Mastelero, SAR Gavia and SAR Mesana for SASEMAR, Spain) and has developed its own design of LNG propulsion tug, in collaboration with Main Engine makers and Bureau Veritas.
February 2024
