en.Wedoany.com Reported - The State Port Authority (Puertos del Estado) has published a guide on the use and application of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the port sector. Developed by various port authorities with support from multiple institutions, this guide provides a common reference framework for the gradual, safe, and coordinated integration of unmanned aircraft systems.
Benito Núñez, Secretary General for Air and Maritime Traffic, stated at the opening ceremony of the launch that drones have become part of the production structure, applied in areas such as logistics, infrastructure inspection, agriculture, emergency response, or public services. He noted that these aircraft can offer new operational solutions, allowing access to previously more restricted areas or performing tasks under more demanding conditions, thereby reducing risks and costs while increasing resource availability. At the same time, the development of drones must continue to advance based on safety, efficient airspace management, and coexistence with other aviation and non-aviation uses. He also acknowledged the coordination efforts in Spain to promote the deployment of unmanned aircraft systems, pointing out that the national U-space deployment action plan and its updated version, Pandu+, provide a clear roadmap for drone deployment in Spain in the coming years.
Gustavo Santana, President of the State Port Authority, emphasized that the release of this guide reflects a commitment to innovation and the continuous improvement of the public port system. Santana noted that the guide is the result of collaboration among port authorities, aviation and regulatory agencies, and entities, which has enabled the development of a practical, rigorous document adapted to the actual needs and regulatory environment of Spanish ports. This guide serves as a starting point for the coordinated integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the port system.
Carlos Rubio, President of the Port Authority of Malaga, stated that the guide's release comes at a time when there is an urgent need for procedural standardization, as the use of drones by port authorities for public property control and by private operators for commercial purposes is growing significantly.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the application of unmanned aircraft systems in the port sector, covering governance, regulatory framework, port authority own operations, third-party operations management, protection against non-cooperative unmanned aircraft systems, main application scenarios, and the future development prospects of this technology.
Drones have already been practically applied in numerous Spanish ports, performing tasks including perimeter surveillance and security, infrastructure inspection, topographic surveying, emergency management, and surface water monitoring. These applications have proven their ability to enhance infrastructure oversight, operational information acquisition, environmental management, safety, and the capacity to respond to different operational situations.
