Intertek, ADPO and Helicus launch cargo drone transport in Port of Antwerp
19 Sep 2025
Partners celebrate new cross-river drone cargo route
Antwerp, Belgium: Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, is pleased to announce that Intertek Caleb Brett, ADPO and Helicus have launched the first cargo drone route connecting the two banks of the Scheldt River in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium.
Marking the beginning of a new chapter in Antwerp port logistics, the first in a series of flights between the local ADPO terminal and Intertek laboratory was carried out by Helicus, a Belgian pioneer in drone aviation services, on 9 July 2025. The launch of this cutting-edge drone transport represents a transformative step in sample logistics, combining speed, sustainability, and innovation to enhance safety and efficiency in the Port of Antwerp.
Previously, transporting untested chemical samples between the terminal of ADPO, a frontrunner in terminal logistics, and the Intertek laboratory took at least 35 minutes by road; drones now cover the same distance in under eight minutes. This breakthrough not only saves time but also significantly reduces traffic congestion and environmental pollution.
Key benefits:
- Independence from local road traffic disruptions (bridges, locks, strikes, trains).
- Faster turnaround time (TAT) for sample analysis and terminal feedback.
- Reduced lay time for vessels, faster TAT allows ships to depart sooner, lowering dock costs.
- Increased availability of surveyors for inspections.
- Reduced personnel exposure to hazardous products.
- Lower CO₂ emissions through a sustainable transport alternative.
- A scalable automatic drone ecosystem within the Port of Antwerp.
Innovation and sustainability go hand in hand
An additional feat is that the drone flights take place within the controlled airspace of Antwerp Airport. This requires close coordination with air traffic control and helicopter operations in the port. Thanks to this coordination, the drone flights can be carried out safely within one of the most complex airspace structures in the country.
The main benefit of this new form of transport lies with the industrial partners and customers using the service. This first pilot line demonstrates the potential of drones to reshape chemical logistics and create a more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced supply chain.
Thierry Guffens, General Manager Belgium, Intertek Caleb Brett, said: “At Intertek, we are committed to driving innovation that improves quality, safety, and sustainability for our clients. By implementing this drone solution, we are not only accelerating turnaround times but also reducing risk and lowering environmental impact – a true win-win for our partners and the wider port community.”
Filip De Dycker, Managing Director, ADPO, commented: “Efficiency and reliability are at the core of ADPO’s operations. This collaboration with Intertek and Helicus represents a major step towards smarter and greener logistics in the Port of Antwerp. By cutting transport time to just a few minutes, we are improving both service quality and sustainability for our customers.”
Mikael Shamim, CEO, Helicus, added: “Drones have the potential to fundamentally change the way critical goods are moved. Partnering with industry leaders like Intertek and ADPO allows us to showcase how drone technology can enhance safety, speed, and sustainability in one of Europe’s most important logistics hubs.”
Together, Intertek, ADPO, and Helicus are setting a new benchmark for innovation in the chemical and petrochemical sectors. By reducing carbon emissions, enhancing reliability, and creating a scalable automated transport system, this project is paving the way for the future of logistics at the Port of Antwerp.
For Media Information:
Please contact
Manuel Quintas
Regional Marketing Manager ECA, Intertek
Manuel.quintas@intertek.com
Lies Saliën
Human Resource Manager, ADPO
Lies.Salien@adpo.com
Paul Van Goethem
Communications, Helicus
communications@helicus.com
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide.
Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers' operations and supply chains.
Intertek is a purpose-led company to Bring Quality, Safety and Sustainability to Life. We provide 24/7 mission-critical quality assurance solutions to our clients to ensure that they can operate with well-functioning supply chains in each of their operations.
Our Customer Promise is: Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently, with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.
intertek.com
About Intertek Caleb Brett
Intertek Caleb Brett has provided global testing, inspection, and certification services for the petroleum and bulk chemical industries since 1885. With an extensive network of laboratories and professionals worldwide, Intertek ensures product quality, quantity, and regulatory compliance across global supply chains.
About ADPO
ADPO (Antwerp Distribution and Products Operations) is one of Europe’s leading independent chemical logistics service providers. With terminals strategically located in the Port of Antwerp, ADPO offers tank storage, warehousing, drumming, blending, and logistics solutions for a wide range of liquid bulk and packed chemicals.
Committed to safety, innovation, and sustainability, ADPO provides flexible, reliable, and environmentally responsible services to support the global chemical industry.
adpo.com
About Helicus
Helicus is a Belgian pioneer in drone aviation services, specialised in designing and operating automated drone networks for healthcare, logistics, and industrial applications.
Through its state-of-the-art Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) platform and operational expertise, Helicus enables the safe and efficient integration of drones into complex environments, including ports and cities. Its mission is to create sustainable, reliable, and scalable drone ecosystems that transform the way critical goods are moved.
helicus.com