Ashdod, Israel – November 2025
Ashdod Port Company has successfully completed a proof-of-concept (POC) for an autonomous drone ecosystem operating in a live port environment, as part of the Port’s Maritime Technology Hub (Blue Ocean CVC).
The pilot was conducted in collaboration with Airwayz, Sentrycs (recently acquired by Ondas Holdings Inc.), FlightOps, Propeller Drones, and Dynamic Infrastructure, combining advanced technologies for autonomous flight management, real-time AI-powered analytics, drone detection, and intelligent airspace command and control.
Together, the partners demonstrated how a multi-layered autonomous drone ecosystem can operate safely within a complex maritime environment, enhancing security, safety, maintenance, and operational logistics — reflecting a growing global trend toward the integration of unmanned systems and UTM (Uncrewed Traffic Management) within large-scale infrastructure.
At the heart of the project is the Airwayz Autonomous Tactical Airspace Command & Control System (ATACCS) — an advanced Dynamic UTM and C2 platform designed to manage all aerial operations above ports and other critical infrastructure.
The system autonomously approves and prioritizes drone flights, manages safe airspace corridors, prevents conflicts between drones, cranes, and vessels, and detects and classifies unauthorized airspace activity in real time.
By integrating these capabilities, Ashdod Port can now manage its airspace alongside sea and land operations, achieving full situational awareness and coordinated response across all domains.
This creates a digitally unified operational picture, improving efficiency, safety, and decision-making across the port’s entire ecosystem.
Shaul Schneider, Chairman of Ashdod Port, said:
“Drones have become an integral part of modern port operations. Their ability to combine security, operational precision, and real-time situational awareness positions Ashdod Port at the forefront of innovation in Israel and worldwide.
A similar system operates at the Port of Rotterdam, and we are now adopting this model in Ashdod. As a strategic national facility that must remain operational at all times, the drone network will serve as an additional protective layer while enhancing our operational and maritime logistics capabilities.”
Nissan Levy, CEO of Ashdod Port, added:
“Integrating autonomous drones into our operations shows how technology complements and strengthens human work.
We constantly seek innovative solutions that improve efficiency, safety, and security — keeping Ashdod Port at the forefront of global maritime innovation.”
From a technological perspective, participating companies see this pilot as a milestone in the adoption of UTM and C2 technologies within real-world, safety-critical environments.
Eyal Zor, CEO of Airwayz, explained:
“At Ashdod Port, we are applying the experience gained at the Port of Rotterdam — managing a full drone ecosystem that is safe, smart, and autonomous.
Our Dynamic UTM (ATACCS) acts as an autonomous control tower, giving the port full command of its skies — approving flights, prioritizing missions, and identifying unauthorized drones in real time.
Together with our partners — Propeller Drones, Sentrycs, FlightOps, and Dynamic Infrastructure — we are demonstrating what a truly smart and connected port looks like: one that manages not only the sea and the land, but also its airspace.”
Roi Avrahami, Head of the Maritime Technology HUB (Blue Ocean CVC), concluded:
“The ability to manage the port’s airspace introduces a new layer of safety and intelligence.
It allows us to prevent conflicts between drones, aircraft, ships, or critical infrastructure, define safe and restricted flight zones, and maintain full situational awareness of every aerial activity.
This marks another step in building safer, smarter, and more efficient ports — where integrated technologies directly improve operations and create economic value.”
The pilot concluded successfully, and the feasibility of expanding autonomous drone operations across Ashdod Port facilities and its international Innovation Embassies is now under review.
For more information:
www.blueocean-cvc.com