Autonomous capabilities

Challenge

Piracy continues to pose a significant threat to maritime commerce, with small pirate vessels frequently targeting large commercial ships, especially under the cover of darkness. These attacks often involve pirates boarding vessels, taking control of the crew, and seizing valuable cargo. The challenge is exacerbated by the lack of effective, mobile long-range detection tools, leaving ship captains without critical aerial intelligence on nearby pirate activity. As a result, many captains choose to avoid high-risk areas, such as the dangerous waters off the East Coast of Africa. Additionally, ships navigating near coastal areas tend to increase their speed, as historical data indicates that no vessel traveling faster than 18 knots has ever been successfully boarded by pirates. However, these defensive tactics are costly, resulting in additional fuel expenses and wasted time due to longer, alternative routes. Considering the overall impact on the shipping industry, including higher insurance premiums and lost time, piracy is estimated to cause an annual loss of €6 billion.

Solution

To address this critical issue, Upteko has developed the Perimeter Patrol feature within its autonomous drone system. This innovative feature enables any crew member to monitor and investigate vessels approaching the ship, providing real-time surveillance and enhancing situational awareness. The Upteko drone system features a user-friendly interface, allowing crew members with no prior drone experience to easily operate and control the aerial camera, directing it in any desired direction to monitor potential threats.

In Conclusion

By leveraging this advanced autonomous technology, ships can proactively detect and respond to pirate activities, significantly enhancing the safety and security of both crew and cargo. This solution reduces the economic impact of piracy on the shipping industry by providing an efficient, cost-effective alternative to traditional defensive strategies.