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 . With a digital vessel clearance tool, operators can tap on internal data-driven platforms to automatically clear vessels in four clicks, and can provide customers with the latest information on when the terminal can accommodate incoming vessels. It could cross - check vessel and terminal information and offer vessels automatic clearance to dock .
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 .