Dutch company Vopak has started testing drones , underwater remotely operated vehicles ( ROVs ) and other robots to carry out tank , pipeline and jetty inspections . Currently , safety reasons mean terminal facilities have to close down to allow human inspection . The Vopak system also includes a digital clearance system , already in use in Singapore , to check and approve vessels wishing to dock at terminals . It could cross - check vessel and terminal information and offer vessels automatic clearance to dock .
Dutch company Vopak has started testing drones, underwater remote operated vehicles (ROVs) and other robots to carry out tank, pipeline and jetty inspections. Currently, safety reasons mean terminal facilities have to close down to allow human inspections. The Vopak system also includes a digital clearance service, already in use in Singapore, to check and approve vessels wishing to dock at terminals. It could cross-check vessel and terminal information and offer vessels automatic clearance to dock.