Drones Take to the Great Lakes: Skyports Tests the Future of Maritime Deliveries

Michigan’s Waters Become a Proving Ground for BVLOS Drone Logistics

In a quiet corner of Michigan’s Great Lakes region, a quiet revolution in maritime logistics is underway. Skyports Drone Services, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), and Newlab, is conducting Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone delivery trials until May 27, 2025. The goal? To prove that drones can reliably shuttle light cargo—like oil and water samples, mail, and linens—between shore and ships, potentially reshaping how goods move across waterways.

“This isn’t just about replacing boats with drones. It’s about creating a faster, safer, and more sustainable link between land and vessels,” says a Skyports spokesperson.

Based in DeTour, Michigan, the trials focus on delivering supplies to Interlake Steamship Company vessels. The program isn’t just a tech demo; it’s a rigorous assessment of how drones perform in maritime environments, with data feeding into regulatory frameworks for future commercial operations. The Speedbird DLV-2 drone, with its 8.8lb payload capacity and ability to operate in winds up to 28mph, is the workhorse of the project. Using winch technology, it lowers cargo from 50 feet above deck, minimizing risk to crew and equipment.

From Singapore to the Great Lakes: A Blueprint for Expansion

This marks Skyports’ first U.S. maritime drone operation, but the company isn’t starting from scratch. Building on 2021 trials in Singapore, where drones delivered ship parts and medical supplies, the Michigan project is part of a three-stage plan to identify high-value use cases for drone logistics. Skyports handles everything from route planning and regulatory approvals to operations and data analysis, with a final report slated to guide future scaling.

“The Great Lakes are a microcosm of global shipping challenges—harsh weather, remote locations, and tight schedules. If drones work here, they can work anywhere,” notes an MDOT representative.

The implications stretch beyond Michigan. Skyports has already hinted at plans to expand to other U.S. ports, targeting routes where traditional delivery methods are slow or costly. For now, all eyes are on DeTour, where every successful flight brings the industry closer to a skyborne supply chain.