Puertos del Estado hosts in Tarragona the first conference on the use of drones in the state-owned port system
Representatives from Puertos del Estado, 19 Port Authorities, as well as SENASA, INECO and the Galicia Technology Institute took part in the event.
The aim of the conference was to provide guidance to the Port Authorities on the process of implementing and using drones, to share experiences and to identify short- and medium-term future challenges.
Port Tarragona, as the first Spanish state port equipped with a dedicated drone unit, together with the ports of A Coruña, Barcelona, Gijón, Vilagarcía and Valencia, presented their projects.
14-11-2025 (Puertos del Estado). Puertos del Estado has organised the first conference on the use of drones in the state-owned port system, held at the Port Authority of Tarragona, with the aim of providing guidance to ports on the implementation and use of drones. The event facilitated the exchange of experiences and best practices and made it possible to identify short- and medium-term future challenges. Nineteen Port Authorities participated in the event, which also included representatives from SENASA, INECO and the Instituto Tecnológico de Galicia.
The conference on the use of drones in the port system is part of the working group promoted by the Operations Directorate of Puertos del Estado to draft the Guidance on the Use and Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) by Port Authorities, with the technical assistance of INECO. This document will support the safe and coordinated use of drones in port environments.
The session, which brought together 19 of the 28 Port Authorities of the state port system, highlighted the strong interest that this technology is generating in the port sector. It also served to share knowledge, discuss technical and regulatory challenges, and continue advancing in the integration of drones as a strategic tool to improve efficiency, safety and sustainability in ports.
Currently, ten Port Authorities use unmanned devices operationally, applying them in areas as diverse as surveillance and security, infrastructure inspection, environmental control and the monitoring of port operations. Of these, the Port Authorities of Tarragona, A Coruña, Barcelona, Gijón, Vilagarcía and Valencia shared their most relevant experiences and projects during the conference.
Tarragona, a pioneering port
As host of the event, the Port Authority of Tarragona opened the session with its success stories. Tarragona is a pioneer in the use of drones: it was the first state port to be authorised with a dedicated drone unit. This unit began its activities in 2021 with pilot training and, since September 2023, has been carrying out regular flight operations. The Port Authority of Tarragona currently has 20 trained pilots to operate in both the open and specific categories and a fleet of 8 drones equipped with the latest technology in standard and thermal imaging cameras. It also has a system for transmitting real-time drone images to the Port Control Centre (CCP), the emergency room and mobile devices, which is integrated into the port’s video surveillance system. In addition, Port Tarragona has become a testbed for innovation projects funded through Ports 4.0 related to the advanced use of drones in port environments.
Safety, inspection and infrastructures
The conference showcased practical examples of drone use in different areas.
Port of Barcelona presented two innovative projects already deployed. One uses unmanned devices for gas detection in the maritime area, in collaboration with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The second combines aerial and maritime drones to detect water surface pollution in the event of an emergency.
The Port of Gijón uses its drone unit for safety purposes —including perimeter control, emergency response and water surface surveillance— as well as for surface and infrastructure inspections. The Asturian port also explained that it uses drones for periodic monitoring of construction works, updating cartography and creating digital twins of buildings.
At the Port of Vilagarcía de Arousa, the drone unit is used to carry out periodic inspections of maritime signals. This Port Authority operates in a highly rugged coastal area, which requires a large number of aids to navigation. It manages seven lighthouses in the Rías de Arousa and Muros–Noia, which are now inspected using drones to improve efficiency.
Valenciaport presented its commitment to the use of drones for surveying and mapping works, marine pollution control and works supervision. It also showcased an innovative drone detection system capable of locating in real time all drones flying over the port area, both collaborative (those with the detection system activated) and non-collaborative (those with the system deactivated).
Finally, the Port of A Coruña outlined the process it is following to define drone management within the port area, with the aim of improving port operations. It has already defined the management of airspace in the public port domain and holds 25 authorisations for external drones. At the same time, its own personnel have already carried out drone operations. The port currently has 20 certified pilots and an internal procedure. The next steps include implementing management software, creating an internal structure and expanding pilot training.
Shared challenges
The first conference on the use of drones in the state-owned port system has made it possible to identify areas of work and medium- and long-term challenges in the implementation of drones in port facilities. These include the use of drones in the design of digital twins and the development of technological systems for the management of the so-called U-Space (low-altitude airspace), which will enable the management of port airspace in a similar way to water surfaces.