Jiangsu Lianyungang Port Co.,Ltd. successfully completed the city's first cross-sea drone logistics delivery trial on July 24.

The trial, executed by Lianyungang Aviation Industry Co., Ltd., involved transporting daily necessities and emergency supplies from Liandao to Dasan Island in the Qiansan Islands, completing a round-trip mission. This marks a breakthrough in Lianyungang's land-sea integrated low-altitude application scenario, establishing a dedicated low-altitude resupply corridor for its islands.

Why this trial is a game-changer

Using an industrial-grade medium-sized drone, the operation completely replaced traditional ship transport. What previously took 2 hours by sea was reduced to just 20 minutes of flight time, improving transport efficiency by over 80%. This effectively addresses the key challenges of slow logistics and limited capacity for island resupply.

Key advantages of drone delivery

Compared to ships, the cross-sea drone model offers superior speed, higher deployment flexibility, less dependence on sea conditions and tides, and stronger emergency response capabilities. It fills a critical gap in supply delivery during bad weather such as high winds or fog, when ships are typically grounded, significantly enhancing the mobility and reliability of island logistics.

On the day of the mission, the drone carrying over 30 kilograms of supplies, including drinking water, daily necessities, and emergency items, took off smoothly from Liandao. The total round-trip flight distance was approximately 120 kilometers. The entire flight was stable, the operation procedures were standard, and real-time data transmission was smooth, fully validating the safety, stability, and practicality of the long-distance, two-way logistics model.

Comprehensive preparation ensures success

To ensure the trial's success, the aviation company completed all preparatory work in advance, including route surveying, airspace approval, equipment debugging, weather analysis, and risk assessment. A detailed emergency response plan was refined, and the technical team was stationed on-site throughout the mission to monitor flight data, ensuring the delivery was precise and efficient.

What this means for the future

This successful trial is a landmark achievement in Lianyungang's development of the marine low-altitude economy. It fills the supply gap for the Qiansan Islands, validates the company's technical strength in long-distance low-altitude operations and commercial applications, and demonstrates the role of state-owned enterprises in industrial innovation and public welfare.

Looking ahead, Jiangsu Lianyungang Port Co.,Ltd. will review the trial's experience, optimize route planning and safety management, and work towards normalizing island supply deliveries. The company also plans to expand into other scenarios such as emergency rescue, ecological patrol, and maritime security, aiming to build a comprehensive land-sea integrated low-altitude economy and become a national benchmark for coastal marine low-altitude economy development.