By Nathan Allen 
 

Airbus SE (AIR.FR) has begun tests of its Skyways drone for the delivery of small packages from a Singapore marina to ships anchored offshore, the company said Friday.

During the maiden test flight the drone delivered a 1.5 kilogram package to a tug supply vessel operated by Swire Pacific Ltd. (0019.HK) anchored 1.5 kilometers from the shore, Airbus said.

Future tests will involve carrying packages of up to 4 kg to vessels as far as 3 km from the coast, the company said.

Airbus said drone technology for such shore-to-ship transfers could lower delivery costs by 90%, while reducing a company's carbon footprint and slashing delivery time.

The company said it will soon begin urban-delivery trials at the National University of Singapore.

Write to Nathan Allen at nathan.allen@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 15, 2019 06:19 ET (10:19 GMT)