Aker Solutions has become the first company in Europe to receive full certification for unlimited beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, a move that positions drones alongside manned helicopters and aircraft in controlled airspace.
The approval, granted by European and national civil aviation authorities, enables the company to carry out autonomous inspections offshore and onshore without interfering with helideck operations, airports, or restricted zones. Operations will be piloted remotely from an onshore control room, with drones capable of being flown hundreds of kilometres from their operators.
Certification Opens New Operational Possibilities
Unlike system-specific approvals, the BVLOS certification granted to Aker Solutions is product-agnostic. This allows the company to integrate different platforms and technologies, tailoring operations to the needs of clients. The flexibility supports a range of applications across offshore platforms, onshore yards, process plants, and industrial sites.
“Meeting these requirements opens new possibilities and will support the transition to low- and unmanned operations in some of the world’s most complex maritime environments,” said Joachim Hovland, Head of Drones and Robotics at the company. He added that the initiative aims to boost customer productivity by enabling digital and automated maintenance and inspection services.
Offshore Operations Already Underway
Earlier this year, Aker Solutions completed its first offshore BVLOS drone operation from its Stavanger control room, marking a significant step toward fully autonomous energy-sector inspections. The company’s systems are designed to support existing and future low-manned and unmanned installations, reducing the need for traditional inspection methods that often involve higher safety risks and costs.
Anja Dyb, SVP Life Cycle Services, highlighted that the certification reflects the trust built with aviation authorities through a strong safety record. “This new milestone reflects Aker Solutions’ dedication and expertise to push the boundaries and deliver autonomous solutions to our customers. We believe autonomous systems will play a key role in improving how the energy sector operates—making it more efficient while reducing both emissions and costs,” she said.
The certification gives Aker Solutions clearance to conduct unlimited BVLOS inspections offshore and onshore, enable fully remote operations from control rooms, and expand its portfolio of automated and digital inspection services.
