Your Second July Update

Skyports hits Singapore samples delivery milestone

Moonrock client, Skyports Drone Services, an expert in drone delivery and inspection services for healthcare, maritime, logistics and energy use cases, has successfully and safely completed Singapore’s first Shore-to-Ship beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone deliveries and collections of bunker fuel samples to and from bunker tanker vessels.

Conducted in partnership with the TFG Marine, CBS Ventures and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the trial aimed to review safety parameters for using drones to improve tanker vessel operations. The flights demonstrated that drones can be safely used in marine fuelling environments such as around bunker tankers, under stringent safety requirements.

The trials concluded with the drones successfully transporting bunker fuel samples to and from TFG Marine’s vessel MT Diligence. According to Skyports, this provides a faster, safer, and more sustainable alternative to in-person deliveries made by TFG Marine’s launch boats, which involve less efficient vessel-to-vessel crossings of delivery personnel.

China reveals mosquito-sized spy drone

In a move that highlights just how quickly drone technology is moving forward, China has unveiled a tiny surveillance drone which is the size of a mosquito.

DroneLife reported that the drone has been developed by the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) and marks a significant step forward in the field of micro-robotics. According to the title the device measures just 1-2cm in length and weights around 0.3 grams. It is equipped with microphones, cameras and sensors and can capture visuals, audio, and electronic signals. It is currently operated in a lab using a smartphone as a controller.

Drone-maker Stark picks UK as first site outside of Germany

The BBC reported that military drone specialist, Stark, has selected the UK as it’s first factory location outside of its base in Germany.

The firm, which produces systems for NATO, expects the site in Swindon to generate 100 skilled jobs in the area.

For Moonrock it is heartening to see another drone specialist move into the UK market and it highlights the scale of the opportunity in the region. Stark’s presence will help upskill workers in the drone space and drive future technology advances as the UK establishes itself as a leader in the field.

BVLOS progress for Coptrz

ARPAS-UK reports that it’s member, Coptrz, has received a first of its kind BVLOS SORA approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate at a Severn Trent-owned site.

Coptrz can now operate DJI Dock-based drone missions under a SAIL I (Specific Assurance and Integrity Level 1) classification.

ARPAS-UK suggested the move “opens the door to a new era of persistent, automated aerial operations for asset inspection and monitoring in live utility environments”.

Coptrz CRO, Simon Harris, told ARPAS-UK: “This is a UK-first, and it’s more than just a regulatory tick. It’s a real-world unlock for automated drone operations in safety-critical, high-value environments. Severn Trent are showing ambition — and we’ve delivered the blueprint. The impact across utilities, infrastructure and public sector applications will be enormous.” 

CAA consults on Electronic Conspicuity

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is seeking views on its draft Initial Technical Concept of Operations (ConOps) for Electronic Conspicuity (EC).

EC enables aircraft to “detect and be detected” electronically, helping to reduce the risk of mid-air collisions and improve situational awareness.

The consultation invites feedback on each of the nine proposed policy positions described in the ConOps. The body is seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders, including unmanned aircraft operators.

It has also included a short Call for Evidence to support its early thinking on a potential future EC mandate, which is being explored separately by the CAA and Department for Transport (DfT).

Moonrock would encourage all stakeholders to read the policy document and respond by 06 October 2025.

Asset management SIG set-up by ARPAS-UK

ARPAS-UK has announced that the inaugural meeting of its new Special Interest Group (SIG) focused on Asset Management & Inspection took place on the 16 July.

The group, chaired by Amanda Smith, Chair of the ARPAS-UK Advisory Board and UAV Equipment Engineer and Programme Lead at Sellafield Ltd, brings together a range of stakeholders to explore how UAVs are being used within asset management and inspection and learn how barriers can be overcome.

ARPAS-UK stated: “The group’s objective is to understand real-world challenges, exchange experience, and help identify the steps needed to enable more effective, confident, and consistent integration of UAS into End User ‘Business as Usual’ operational planning and delivery. Key themes for discussion include high-impact use cases for drone-enabled inspection; data quality, storage and accessibility – exploring current practices, pain points, and areas for improvement; and operational and organisational barriers, such as workflow integration, adoption hesitancy, and training needs.”

Moonrock Announcements

We’re pleased to say we’re on yet another awards shortlist. We are a finalist for MGA of the Year at the prestigious UK Broker Awards which is run by Insurance Age. This is the third award we have been shortlisted for this year! A huge thank you to all of our partners and fantastic clients. We’ll look forward to the ceremony in October.