Partnership to Evaluate Middle-Mile Drone Delivery in Effort to Reduce Traffic and Emissions
Skyports Drone Services, in collaboration with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), announced today a strategic partnership aimed at exploring the feasibility of implementing middle-mile drone logistics across the New York and New Jersey region. This initiative seeks to assess the potential for drones to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of cargo transportation within the area’s extensive transportation infrastructure.
The Port Authority, responsible for key transportation assets including major airports such as John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International, as well as the Port of New York and New Jersey, will work alongside Skyports in a multi-year collaboration. This partnership is designed to support the Port Authority’s ambition to integrate uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) into its maritime, aviation, and transportation operations, with an initial focus on reducing the dependency on truck transport across the region’s bridges and tunnels.

The feasibility study will examine regulatory, technical, operational, and commercial considerations for drone services, targeting middle-mile logistics, which involves the transportation of goods from distribution centers to retail or local fulfillment centers. This segment is critical for streamlining the supply chain and preparing goods for final delivery.
Skyports, recognized for its leadership in deploying drone services across various sectors globally, will bring its expertise in medical, maritime, oil & gas, and logistics drone operations to the partnership. The company’s advanced fleet is capable of a broad range of applications, including beyond visual line of sight operations and transporting both light and heavy cargo.
“Our partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a pivotal step for maritime and logistics focused drone operations in the US,” said Alex Brown, Director of Skyports Drone Services. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Port Authority’s assets and the goal of developing an actionable roadmap for UAS integration within New York City’s complex operating environment.

Seth Wainer, Innovation Program Director at Port Authority, expressed optimism about the potential of drone technology to offer a low-carbon solution for transporting valuable items between New York and New Jersey. “It may seem like something from the Jetsons, but if drone cargo proves viable, it may be a low-carbon way to move the most valuable items between New York and New Jersey,” Wainer stated, indicating the exploratory phase of seeking interested customers and routes for this innovative mode of transport.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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