Skylift, FlyingBasket Pioneer UK’s Large-Scale Offshore Drone Deliveries

UK drone operator Skylift UAV and European drone manufacturer FlyingBasket have
partnered with offshore wind leader Ørsted to deliver the UK’s first large-scale offshore
drone delivery program.

The pioneering project completed more than 600 drone flights, transporting 38.1 tonnes of
equipment to over 400 producing wind turbines across the Hornsea 1 & 2 wind farms on
England’s east coast and Walney 1 & 2 in the Irish Sea. With some turbines located up to 75
miles offshore, this represents the largest offshore wind drone delivery program to date.
FlyingBasket’s FB3 heavy-lift cargo drones, capable of carrying up to 100 kg, delivered loads
averaging 70 kg directly from a supply vessel to turbine nacelles over 100 metres above sea
level. Deliveries that once took hours using traditional methods such as cranes were
reduced to minutes, with drones completing up to 30 trips per day and reaching a record 40
deliveries in a single day.

The six and a half week campaign has dramatically cut emissions whilst accelerating
operations, and has proven to be over ten times more cost-effective than traditional lifting
methods. Safety risks were also significantly reduced. Conventional operations expose
workers to 50 minutes of drop zone activity for every lift, but drones have cut that to just one
minute, massively lowering risk while maintaining productivity.

This milestone demonstrates how drone technology is reshaping offshore logistics. By
removing the risks associated with crane lifts and reducing vessel journeys, drones provide a
safer, faster, greener, and cheaper alternative to traditional methods. They also enable
uninterrupted operations, even on producing wind turbines, ensuring that renewable energy
output continues without delay. As offshore wind farms grow larger and further from shore,
this achievement paves the way towards a more streamlined and efficient method of
transporting safety equipment and vital supplies quickly and securely.

Moritz Moroder, CEO & Co-founder of FlyingBasket, noted that seeing the company’s cargo
drones delivering tonnes of payload in the energy sector highlights not just technological
progress but also the power of teamwork and persistence — a vision that is already
reshaping offshore operations.

Toby Moores, CEO & Co-founder of Skylift UAV, added that the program proves drone
technology can fundamentally change offshore logistics, combining safety, efficiency, and
sustainability to accelerate the UsK’s renewable energy transition.

Building on a 2024 program in the Netherlands, where 5 tons of equipment were
delivered in 10 days, the UK initiative has already surpassed 38 tons in weeks, underlining
the scalability of drone operations in offshore energy. As the offshore wind industry
continues its rapid expansion, drone logistics are set to become a cornerstone of safe,
efficient, and sustainable operations.