DHL Express Malaysia and Pen Aviation sign MOU for unmanned cargo drone delivery
KUCHING: DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, and Pen Aviation, the industryleading ecosystem provider for Unmanned Automated Solutions (UAS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to commercialise timecritical goods deliveries with unmanned aerial vehicles, leveraging PEN UAS-based solutions.
This initiative is in partnership with Raya Airways as the cargo drone operator.
DHL will participate in a Proof of Commercialisation (POC) by the end of 2021 to demonstrate the commercial viability of timecritical cargo drone delivery for port logistics missions, focusing on the maritime industry. The POC will undertake first- to last-mile port logistics missions jointly conducted by DHL, Pen Aviation, and Raya Airways.
The POC will specifically demonstrate the cost and time optimisation of a fleet of drones to streamline port logistics, and distribution activities for goods at commercial ports.
PEN55V, Pen Aviation’s medium-size cargo drone, will pick up and drop off packages weighing up to 12kg from the cargo ship deck to the port and vice versa, both in the day and at night.
“Cargo drones will be the next generation of transportation in logistics. This POC comes in the wake of the recent 12th Malaysian Plan announcement where the Government of Malaysia highlighted the importance of seamless connectivity and reliability in transport and logistics.
“The use of drone technology will enable us to reach rural communities especially in East Malaysia, where critical items such as vaccines, medicines, and medical devices are needed while allowing us to fulfil our purpose of Connecting People and Improving Lives,” said Julian Neo, managing director of DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei.
Under this agreement, DHL and Pen Aviation will work together to certify and utilise the PEN55V to move shipments to seaports over long distances.
For the same payload capability, the PEN55V micro turbine requires three times less energy to fly than battery powered UAVs and does not cause any pollution challenges related to battery manufacturing, charge, and recycling.
In line with Deutsche Post DHL Group’s aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, this solution provided by PEN UAS supports our drive toward clean operations for climate protection.
This initiative will be performed in compliance with the Civil Aviation Directive CAD 6011, a regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia which allows the development of unmanned aircraft technologies.
The POC will demonstrate Pen Aviation’s ecosystem superiority to successfully deliver highvolume automated logistics operations with a 24/7 UAV-based freight service.