Implementation of drones in the Port of Tarragona

Project leader

Port Authority of Tarragona, led by the Directorate of Public Domain and Port Protection, and the Directorate of Port Operations.

Description of the project

Since September 2021, the Port Authority of Tarragona, with the assistance of SENASA (SERVICES AND STUDIES FOR AIR NAVIGATION AND AERONAUTICAL SAFETY S.M.E. M.P. S.A.) has been working to make the implementation of the use of drones in the public port domain a reality. The innovative project has consisted of the risk zoning for the use of drones in the port space, the preparation of the operations manual and the different operational safety procedures, which have allowed the Port Authority of Tarragona to be a drone operator, as well as well as the specific training and qualification of its nine (9) pilots and management personnel, necessary to develop their actions according to the current regulations in force.

Since September 2023, flight operations have been carried out on a recurring basis by Port Police pilots, with uses related to the observation, surveillance and perimeter control of the port area, environmental control and training and support for the management of emergencies that may occur.

Currently, the Port Authority has two drones equipped with the latest technology on the market in order to support the performance of the tasks described.

The largest drone is the ‘Mavic 300 RTK’, which comes equipped with high-definition and infrared vision cameras, as well as a thermal camera and the latest technology in control and command systems.

The second drone is the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced. In this case, it is smaller and more versatile and comes equipped with a high-definition vision camera, thermal camera, focus and speaker, and again, the latest technology in control and command systems.

As challenges for the future, among others, the first steps are being taken to become a U-Space service provider, which will allow the Port Authority to have UAS flight control and management systems in the Port’s service area and be prepared for the development and generalization of the use of drones in the coming years.

In addition, the Port Authority will soon acquire a gas detector for the ‘Mavic 300 RTK’, a new drone to reinforce police tasks and equipment for drone detection.

Objective of the project

To have the appropriate organisational and management structure in order to recurrently use drones as a technological tool to improve the comprehensive security of the Port, linked to the uses of perimeter surveillance and control, environmental control and emergency management. This will serve as a basis for the use of drones in other areas of ordinary management of the Port Authority of Tarragona.

Expected benefits of innovation

Improved comprehensive security management and support in emergency management and environmental control.

Implementation of drones in uses related to the day-to-day management of the Port: port operations, infrastructures, communication, etc.