London, UK, 02.09.2025
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 programme.
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 programme 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.
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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 our 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.
Credit: SkyliftToby Moores, CEO & Co-founder of Skylift UAV, added that the programme 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 programme in the Netherlands, where 5 tonnes of equipment were delivered in 10 days, the UK initiative has already surpassed 38 tonnes 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.
Skylift is an experienced UK drone operator specialising in advanced offshore logistics and delivery solutions. Skylift also provides turnkey UAV VLOS and BVLOS solutions to solve logistical and time-critical challenges. With expertise in offshore energy and logistics, Skylift partners with global innovators to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable drone solutions.
FlyingBasket is a European leader in heavy-lift cargo drones, developing UAVs capable of transporting payloads of up to 100 kg, making aerial lifting and transportation available to all industries. Its solutions are pioneering the use of drones in energy and middle-mile logistics.