MiniFreighter, a remotely piloted aircraft system has been delivered to South Africa in order to conduct a test program on the continent’s territory. Rhenus Logistics provided assistance on the job to its partner Wings For Aid. 

This innovative transportation system was created to address the crucial challenge of delivering humanitarian goods to people who are isolated due to natural disasters or residing in hard-to-reach areas. After being imported through sea freight, the system, which includes the aircraft and self-landing cardboard boxes, was safely delivered to the testing site.

Barry Koperberg, the founder and general manager of WFA, expressed his satisfaction following the successful test, stating, “We have now successfully delivered the first box on African soil, where ‘the last mile’ is most troublesome. Together with Rhenus and local partners, we offer an integrated and scalable solution to humanitarian actors.”

Rhenus undertakes shareholding in WFA

Rhenus is the strategic logistics partner of WFA since 2018. Earlier this year, the companu has decided to undertake a shareholding in Wings For Aid to strengthen the response to global crises with improved methods for disaster relief delivery systems.

According to Frank RoderkerkFrank Roderkerk, CEO North-West Europe Air & Ocean bij Rhenus Logistics, the company will be leveraging its international logistics network to assist WFA with the transport of the innovative RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) and patented cardboard delivery box that requires no parachute for airdrops.

“Together we aim to be able to deliver emergency relief goods to the locations that need it most, to the notoriously difficult ‘last mile’, within 72 hours,” he said.