The State Enterprise “Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority” (AMPU) will begin using drones for engineering and underwater operations in ports. This will make the work safer for employees, allow for faster inspections, and reduce risks when working on critical infrastructure.
For the diving service of AMPU’s “Delta-Pilot” branch, an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) has been acquired. It is used to inspect quays, hydraulic structures, the underwater sections of vessels, and seabeds. The underwater drone transmits video and photos in real time and enables some tasks to be performed without divers entering hazardous conditions, including during emergency situations.
The “Delta-Pilot” branch carries out diving operations in the port waters of Odessa, Pivdennyi, Chornomorsk, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Izmail, Reni, Ust-Dunaisk, as well as in the deep-water shipping lane “Danube–Black Sea.” In recent years, the volume of such work has increased due to more intensive attacks on port infrastructure.
The “CHORNOMORNDIPROEKT” branch received a drone for engineering inspections of hydraulic structures and ports. It is used for photo and video documentation of the technical condition of facilities, monitoring port areas, and collecting data for further analysis and work planning.
“Modern technologies allow engineering tasks to be completed faster and more accurately, and most importantly — reduce risks for people. In many cases, necessary data can be obtained without sending employees into hazardous conditions. During the war, when port infrastructure is constantly under threat from shelling and mines, protecting the lives and health of personnel is our absolute priority,” said Andriy Kashuba, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.
The acquisition of drones is part of AMPU’s systematic efforts to implement modern technologies in the port sector. In the future, the enterprise plans to expand the use of digital solutions to improve maritime safety, enhance port operations efficiency, and strengthen critical infrastructure resilience. The creation of a specialized drone technology center at one of AMPU’s branches is also under consideration.
