Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province conducted a validation flight for drone-based offshore anchorage services on Nov 7, marking a milestone in the city's low-altitude economy development.

The flight was jointly carried out by Zhoushan Low Altitude Industry Development and Zhoushan Orient International Maritime Service, both based in Zhoushan High Tech Industrial Zone.

At around 9 am, a heavy-duty, long-range drone took off from Xiaogan Island, carrying supplies to a vessel anchored near Tiaozhoumen outer anchorage via Liuheng Island. The flight aimed to test the drone's takeoff, cruising, and winch delivery performance, as well as evaluate communication and navigation blind spots along the route.

Due to limited 4G and 5G network coverage in certain sea areas and the high cost of satellite communication, the flight used microwave communication to maintain control and data transmission. If successful, microwave relay stations will be set up in Liuheng to enable seamless drone operations from Xiaogan Island to offshore anchorages.

Zhoushan has achieved steady progress in developing its low-altitude economy, aiming to become a model for island-based low-altitude economic development. Since June, the two companies have completed 255 drone delivery missions to inner anchorages such as Mazhi and Xiushan.

The test drone covered a total distance of about 36 kilometers in under 40 minutes and delivered supplies to the target vessel, confirming the route's operational feasibility.