DHL and middle-mile drone delivery operators Dronamics are to develop same-day drone delivery services for the logistics giant’s customers.

As part of the deal, both companies are discussing mutual exclusivity for middle-mile drone deliveries in selected industries and markets. Dronamics’ aim to become carbon-negative by 2027 will help DHL to become carbon-neutral by 2050.

“Innovation is a key part of DHL’s DNA. We are constantly exploring new technologies to bring value to our customers, and we believe that cargo drones will be an element in the next generation of transportation in logistics. Dronamics is a pioneer and leader in the field of cargo drones and our collaboration will help to open up opportunities for urgent, sensitive and time-critical deliveries. We are excited to pilot the use of the Black Swan in customer operations in the near future,” said Matthias Heutger, SVP, global head of innovation and commercial development, DHL.

“We are incredibly excited Dronamics has been selected by DHL, the world’s largest logistics provider, as their first middle-mile drone partner, with a partnership that provides mutual exclusivity in selected industries and markets. This partnership has the potential to generate €1.86bn (US$2.19bn) to revenues annually, with plans underway to build and operate over 4,000 cargo drones to support the partnership in the coming years,” added Svilen Rangelov, co-founder and CEO of the company.