Being always at the edge of new technologies The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) recently hosted a specialized workshop exploring the integration of drone technology within the maritime sector. As the industry pushes toward 2026, the event highlighted how Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are transforming traditional survey methods.
The session culminated in the traditional 2026 Vasilopita cutting ceremony, marking a year of expected digital growth in naval engineering.
The workshop focused on three primary pillars where drones are currently disrupting the status quo:
• Enclosed Space Inspections: Navigating hazardous areas without risking human life.
- • Class Surveys: Meeting regulatory requirements through digital eyes.
- • Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements (UTM): Assessing hull integrity and corrosion via specialized payloads.
Mrs. Catherine Prifti (Laskaridis Shipping Co Ltd.) detailed the strategic shift toward safer inspections.
Key takeaways included:
- • Safety First: Utilizing drones helps comply with ESP (Enhanced Survey Programme) regulations while addressing the high rate of accidents in enclosed spaces reported by InterManager.
- • Regulatory Drivers: Requirements such as RightShip Section 6.2 are making digital inspections more of a necessity than an option.
- • The Trade-off: While drones eliminate human entry and provide more granular data, current models face limitations regarding intrinsic safety in volatile environments.
Mr. Papaioannou, (Drobotiq) emphasized the collaboration with classification societies like ABS to refine Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement workflows. He said that Modern
inspection drones feature collision-resilient designs specifically for confined spaces. It was also mentioned that New tech allows for 3D cloud mapping during flight, providing superior data quality compared to manual spot checks.
Mr. Moraitis (Orbidron) provided a historical perspective on the development of maritime drones. He described The journey from 2019 to 2025 focused on achieving stable "flyability" while carrying heavy UTM payloads. Orbidron is now focusing on next-gen capabilities certified by all major classification societies.
Representatives from Zener Maritime Solutions showcased how turnkey project management is revolutionizing the inspection space. By eliminating the need for expensive scaffolding and reducing "drydock surprises" drones are now viewed as an essential tool for asset value protection.
Class societies such as Bureau Veritas, ABS, DNV and Lloyd’s Register gave insightful presentations.
The event concluded with a live demonstration, where a drone performed a visual inspection of a corrugated bulkhead ballast tank and conducted live UTM measurements, proving that quality and technology now go hand in hand.
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