On the afternoon of November 15, at the takeoff and landing point of the China Educational Supplies Procurement Base in Lanshan District, Linyi City, Shandong Province, a drone was prepared for takeoff. As the operator pressed the command, the cargo-laden drone took off into the sky. Ten minutes later, the package arrived at the Lantian Smart Logistics Port, 5.8 kilometers away.
“5.8 kilometers in just 10 minutes!” exclaimed Mr. Hui, a local market merchant. “With traditional road transport, it takes at least 30 minutes at best.” He noted that the drone doesn’t have to wait at traffic lights or deal with traffic jams, reducing delivery time by nearly 70% and truly achieving “air delivery.” This marks the first “Drone + Commercial Logistics” delivery scenario in the province. The drone delivery service attracted many merchants in the shopping mall. This multi-rotor drone is several times larger than the typical aerial photography drones, showcasing impressive technology and capable of carrying up to 50 kilograms of cargo at once.
As the “Capital of Logistics in China,” Linyi’s modern logistics requires advanced delivery methods. How can goods from the shopping mall be delivered to the logistics park at the fastest speed? The Shandong Daji Logistics Technology Group and the Linyi Commercial Logistics Research Institute jointly launched the “Drone + Commercial Logistics” delivery model, exploring rapid transportation between the market and logistics parks. Currently, three takeoff and landing sites have been established at the China Educational Supplies Procurement Base, Lantian Smart Logistics Port, and Linyi Daji Smart Logistics Port, with three routes opened.
“The ‘low-altitude economy’ cannot be absent in modern logistics, but as a new phenomenon, there are no successful experiences to draw from. We are playing the role of pathfinders,” said Gao Yuanlei, deputy general manager of Shandong Daji Logistics Technology Group. “After navigating challenges such as departmental approval mechanisms and market awareness, the trial operation indicates that the ‘Drone + Commercial Logistics’ solution is particularly suitable for urgent, difficult, risky, and expensive deliveries. It further reduces logistics costs, enhances overall operational efficiency, and guides Linyi logistics toward intelligent and automated development.”
For market merchants, transitioning from traditional transport to drones also makes economic sense. “In the past, using traditional vehicles for goods transfer to the logistics park took at least 30 minutes. Now, with the drone, it’s done in 10 minutes. During the trial operation, the shipping fees are waived, which saves money, time, and effort,” said merchant Gu Zongkun, emphasizing the modern logistics experience. Since the trial operation began, merchants who have used the service have all commented on its “speed.”
“This is not just a spatial transformation; it’s a redefinition and upgrade of service standards,” said Du Qingming, director of the International Land Port Construction Service Center of the Lanshan Shopping Mall Administrative Committee. He explained how modern logistics cities can rejuvenate traditional commercial logistics. The “Drone + Commercial Logistics” low-altitude service provides the answer, with plans to accelerate the development of an efficient and intelligent low-altitude logistics network, creating a comprehensive demonstration base for high-end logistics drones nationwide.
