In the fast-moving maritime industry, efficiency and safety are paramount. Traditional Cargo Oil Tank (COT) inspections have long been time-consuming, expensive, and hazardous. However, thanks to Flyability’s Elios 3 drone with its UT (Ultrasonic Thickness) payload, inspections are now six times faster, significantly safer, and far more cost-effective.
Cyberhawk™, a leader in drone inspections and asset management, recently leveraged this cutting-edge technology to inspect 14 cargo oil tanks in just 7 days—achieving cost savings of $600,000 on a single ship. With similar projects, savings could reach as high as $1 million per vessel. The Elios 3 is exclusively available in the UK through Coptrz, making this game-changing solution more accessible than ever.
Why Traditional COT Inspections Are Costly and Complex
Cargo oil tanks require periodic inspections to ensure their integrity and compliance with strict regulations. Depending on the age of the tank, inspections can occur every 5 to 10 years, with more frequent assessments as the vessel ages.
Conventionally, these inspections require:
- Scaffolding or rope access
- Confined space entry permits
- Extensive downtime for ships
- A team of specialists working in high-risk environments
These challenges make traditional methods expensive, time-intensive, and potentially hazardous. The Elios 3 is changing the game.
How the Elios 3 is Transforming COT Inspections
Cyberhawk deployed the Elios 3 with UT payload to complete both visual and ultrasonic thickness (UT) inspections without the need for scaffolding or confined space entry. Here’s how it made a difference:
✅ Access: Inspectors could easily navigate the entire tank using the Elios 3, capturing UT measurements at various heights within minutes—eliminating the need for scaffolding.
✅ Safety: Inspections were conducted from a secure location, reducing the need for personnel to enter confined spaces or work at height.
✅ Speed: With the Elios 3, Cyberhawk completed 14 tank inspections in just 7 days—achieving an efficiency that traditional methods couldn’t match.
✅ Cost Savings: By avoiding scaffolding, reducing downtime, and increasing efficiency, the inspection saved the shipowner $600,000. Future projects could see savings up to $1 million per vessel.
Feature Spotlight: Why the Elios 3 is a Game Changer
Flyability’s Elios 3 is specifically designed for confined space inspections. Key advantages include:
🚀 Speed: Eliminates the need for scaffolding, significantly reducing inspection time.
📏 Size: The compact drone, even with the UT payload attached, can navigate spaces as small as 60×60 cm (24 inches)—accessing hard-to-reach areas with ease.
📡 Data Accuracy: The Elios 3’s LiDAR technology generates a 3D point cloud, allowing inspectors to localise UT measurements with pinpoint accuracy. Photos, POIs (Points of Interest), and thickness readings are all embedded in a visual model for easier reporting and decision-making.
The Numbers: Unprecedented Efficiency and Savings
Before adopting drone-based inspections, a single COT inspection would take at least a week, requiring custom-built scaffolding and multiple specialists. With the Elios 3, Cyberhawk:
📅 Inspected 14 tanks in just 7 days (2 tanks per day)
💰 Saved $600,000 on a single ship inspection
⏳ Reduced downtime significantly, leading to higher operational efficiency
These figures demonstrate how drone-based inspections outperform traditional methods in both cost and effectiveness.
The Future of COT Inspections is Here
With class societies now certifying drone-based COT inspections, the industry is shifting towards safer, more cost-effective, and efficient solutions. As Cyberhawk continues to deploy the Elios 3 across global maritime hubs, shipowners and operators are rapidly embracing this technology.
🗣 “The UT inspection market is getting flipped on its head. With world-class technology from Flyability, a skilled pilot, and results backed by class society accreditation, the question isn’t if the industry will turn to drone-based UT inspections, but when.” – Callum Hoffie, Oil and Gas Technical Manager, Cyberhaw
Coptrz – Your Exclusive UK Provider for the Elios 3
The Elios 3 is revolutionising the way COT inspections are conducted, offering a safer, faster, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. By eliminating the need for scaffolding and confined space entry, this drone technology is making inspections more efficient and significantly reducing operational downtime.
As the exclusive UK provider of Flyability’s Elios 3, Coptrz is at the forefront of this technological advancement. If you’re ready to streamline your inspections, improve safety, and cut costs, now is the time to explore the Elios 3.
Get in touch with Coptrz today and discover how this industry-leading solution can transform your maritime operations.
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