Press – Antwerp, Belgium: Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, is pleased to announce that Intertek Caleb Brett, ADPO and Helicus have launched the first cargo drone route connecting the two banks of the Scheldt River in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium.
Marking the beginning of a new chapter in Antwerp port logistics, the first in a series of flights between the local ADPO terminal and Intertek laboratory was carried out by Helicus, a Belgian pioneer in drone aviation services, on 9 July 2025. The launch of this cutting-edge drone transport represents a transformative step in sample logistics, combining speed, sustainability, and innovation to enhance safety and efficiency in the Port of Antwerp.
Previously, transporting untested chemical samples between the terminal of ADPO, a frontrunner in terminal logistics, and the Intertek laboratory took at least 35 minutes by road; drones now cover the same distance in under eight minutes. This breakthrough not only saves time but also significantly reduces traffic congestion and environmental pollution.
Key benefits:
•Independence from local road traffic disruptions (bridges, locks, strikes, trains).
•Faster turnaround time (TAT) for sample analysis and terminal feedback.
•Reduced lay time for vessels, faster TAT allows ships to depart sooner, lowering dock costs.
•Increased availability of surveyors for inspections.
•Reduced personnel exposure to hazardous products.
•Lower CO₂ emissions through a sustainable transport alternative.
•A scalable automatic drone ecosystem within the Port of Antwerp.
Innovation and sustainability go hand in hand
An additional feat is that the drone flights take place within the controlled airspace of Antwerp Airport. This requires close coordination with air traffic control and helicopter operations in the port. Thanks to this coordination, the drone flights can be carried out safely within one of the most complex airspace structures in the country.
The main benefit of this new form of transport lies with the industrial partners and customers using the service. This first pilot line demonstrates the potential of drones to reshape chemical logistics and create a more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced supply chain.
Thierry Guffens, General Manager Belgium, Intertek Caleb Brett, said: “At Intertek, we are committed to driving innovation that improves quality, safety, and sustainability for our clients. By implementing this drone solution, we are not only accelerating turnaround times but also reducing risk and lowering environmental impact – a true win-win for our partners and the wider port community.”
Filip De Dycker, Managing Director, ADPO, commented: “Efficiency and reliability are at the core of ADPO’s operations. This collaboration with Intertek and Helicus represents a major step towards smarter and greener logistics in the Port of Antwerp. By cutting transport time to just a few minutes, we are improving both service quality and sustainability for our customers.”
Mikael Shamim, CEO, Helicus, added: “Drones have the potential to fundamentally change the way critical goods are moved. Partnering with industry leaders like Intertek and ADPO allows us to showcase how drone technology can enhance safety, speed, and sustainability in one of Europe’s most important logistics hubs.”
Together, Intertek, ADPO, and Helicus are setting a new benchmark for innovation in the chemical and petrochemical sectors. By reducing carbon emissions, enhancing reliability, and creating a scalable automated transport system, this project is paving the way for the future of logistics at the Port of Antwerp.
