Premiere in Germany’s capital: VoloDrone visits Berlin for the first time

23 Jun 2021 CW Team

Says Jochen Thewes, CEO of DB Schenker, “Our customers demand clean, fast and innovative solutions for their supply chains. When the infrastructure for conventional means of transport is overburdened or non-existent, cargo drones offer an opportunity to rethink logistics routes. The possible applications in logistics are limitless. Through our partnership with Volocopter, this vision is gradually becoming reality. Drone transport is becoming increasingly tangible. The National Aviation Conference in Berlin offers us a very good opportunity to give German politicians a live impression of this.”

Adds Florian Reuter, CEO of Volocopter, “Our VoloDrone will be put to use, where classical ground transportation meets its limits in logistics, construction, or agriculture. We have ten years of flight experience and our advanced status in the certifications process with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) bears tremendous synergies for all our aircraft. DB Schenker is a leading logistics partner, with whom we are readying our VoloDrone specifically for the commercial use in different logistics applications.”

The VoloDrone exhibited onsite at the National Aviation Conference is a test aircraft from Volocopter with a sample transport container from DB Schenker. In commercial operation, it will be able to cover distances of up to 40 km. The drone is 9.15 m in diameter and 2.15 m tall. The VoloDrone aircraft weighs 600 kg with an additional payload of up to 200 kg. The drone operations will be fully electric with autonomous beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) capabilities. The drone can take off and land vertically. The first flight took place in 2019. Since then, regular flight tests have been conducted at various airfields in southern Germany.

Future logistical applications for the heavy-lift drone include places that are difficult or slower to reach by other means, such as islands, land-to-ship deliveries, transport to mountainous regions, or places isolated from road networks following natural disasters. Intra-city deliveries are also plausible use cases.

DB Schenker has been an investor in Volocopter since 2020. Jochen Thewes, CEO of DB Schenker, is a member of the advisory board. The goal is to further the development and market launch of the VoloDrone for the logistics industry. DB Schenker is testing numerous innovative and forward-looking technologies worldwide in order to make its services for customers even more flexible and climate-friendly and to further reduce noise emissions and pollution.

Innovation for supply chains: Together, the urban air mobility pioneer Volocopter and global logistics service provider DB Schenker are developing solutions for the fast and emission-free transport of goods. Today, Volocopter’s heavy-lift drone was presented to German federal politicians for the first time. At the National Aviation Conference (Nationale Luftfahrtkonferenz) at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, numerous politicians and representatives from the aviation industry visited the VoloDrone. The aircraft is autonomously and electrically operated and can transport up to 200 kg of cargo with a range of up to 40 km. Says Jochen Thewes, CEO of DB Schenker, “Our customers demand clean, fast and innovative solutions for their supply chains. When the infrastructure for conventional means of transport is overburdened or non-existent, cargo drones offer an opportunity to rethink logistics routes. The possible applications in logistics are limitless. Through our partnership with Volocopter, this vision is gradually becoming reality. Drone transport is becoming increasingly tangible. The National Aviation Conference in Berlin offers us a very good opportunity to give German politicians a live impression of this.” Adds Florian Reuter, CEO of Volocopter, “Our VoloDrone will be put to use, where classical ground transportation meets its limits in logistics, construction, or agriculture. We have ten years of flight experience and our advanced status in the certifications process with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) bears tremendous synergies for all our aircraft. DB Schenker is a leading logistics partner, with whom we are readying our VoloDrone specifically for the commercial use in different logistics applications.” The VoloDrone exhibited onsite at the National Aviation Conference is a test aircraft from Volocopter with a sample transport container from DB Schenker. In commercial operation, it will be able to cover distances of up to 40 km. The drone is 9.15 m in diameter and 2.15 m tall. The VoloDrone aircraft weighs 600 kg with an additional payload of up to 200 kg. The drone operations will be fully electric with autonomous beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) capabilities. The drone can take off and land vertically. The first flight took place in 2019. Since then, regular flight tests have been conducted at various airfields in southern Germany. Future logistical applications for the heavy-lift drone include places that are difficult or slower to reach by other means, such as islands, land-to-ship deliveries, transport to mountainous regions, or places isolated from road networks following natural disasters. Intra-city deliveries are also plausible use cases. DB Schenker has been an investor in Volocopter since 2020. Jochen Thewes, CEO of DB Schenker, is a member of the advisory board. The goal is to further the development and market launch of the VoloDrone for the logistics industry. DB Schenker is testing numerous innovative and forward-looking technologies worldwide in order to make its services for customers even more flexible and climate-friendly and to further reduce noise emissions and pollution.

Infrastructure Urban

07 Oct 2025

India To Invest $37 Billion To Boost Petrochemical Capacity

India is set to become a major global player in the petrochemicals industry, driven by a planned capital expenditure of $37 billion (Rs 3.1 trillion) aimed at reducing import dependency and enhancing self-sufficiency, according to S&P Global Ratings.In its latest report titled “First China, Now India: Self-Sufficiency Goals Will Add To Petrochemicals Supply”, S&P said India’s large-scale capacity expansion—mirroring China’s earlier push—will likely intensify oversupply pressures in Asia’s petrochemical markets.Currently the world’s third-largest petrochemical consumer a..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Oct 2025

Indian Railways Expands Global Exports Of Rail Equipment

Indian Railways has announced that it is rapidly emerging as a global exporter of railway equipment, including bogies, coaches, locomotives, and propulsion systems, under the government’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative.According to an official statement, India’s railway products are now reaching over 16 international markets, reflecting the country’s growing capacity to design, develop, and deliver world-class rail solutions.Metro coaches have been exported to Australia and Canada; bogies to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, and Australia; propulsion systems t..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Oct 2025

RailTel Awards Rs 163 Million Contract To RTNS Technology

RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel), a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking, has awarded a domestic work order worth Rs 163 million to RTNS Technology Private Limited.The contract, issued on 30 September 2025, involves the supply and installation of equipment and related services for one of RailTel’s key customers. The project underscores RailTel’s commitment to advancing technology and communication infrastructure through collaboration with domestic system integrators.RTNS Technology Private Limited, an ISO-certified system integrator, provides comprehensive solutions for perim..