Marco Polo Caisson Carrier Leaves Marseille: An Extraordinary Drone Filming Mission
In July 2026, Drone-Pictures had the privilege of documenting one of the most remarkable maritime operations ever carried out in the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (Port of Marseille). Our team was commissioned to provide complete aerial photography and drone video coverage of the departure of the Marco Polo, an impressive floating caisson carrier that has played a major role in several large-scale marine engineering projects.
What made this assignment truly special is that it marked the end of a story we had first documented nearly a decade earlier.
A Story That Began Nine Years Earlier
Our relationship with the Marco Polo dates back to August 2017.
At that time, Drone-Pictures was selected to film the arrival of the caisson carrier in Marseille. The vessel, then owned by Bouygues Travaux Publics, arrived aboard the semi-submersible heavy-lift ship MV Sunrise.
Filming such an unusual maritime operation remains one of the most memorable drone missions we have ever completed.
You can still discover the original story and images on our former blog (in french) or view the edited clip of the arrival on this video start at minute 4:
Nine years later, history repeated itself.
Instead of documenting the arrival of the Marco Polo, we were now filming its final departure from Marseille.
For our team, this coincidence made the assignment particularly meaningful.
Why Was the Marco Polo Leaving Marseille?
For the past six years, the Marco Polo had remained moored alongside the Digue du Large, close to the facilities operated by the French Lighthouse and Beacon Authority.
No longer in service, the floating caisson carrier was recently purchased by a Dutch shipowner and prepared for a new mission in Asia.
Its final destination: Taiwan.
Our client wanted a complete photographic and video record of the operation, from the towing of the Marco Polo through the Port of Marseille to its loading aboard the semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel ALMA.
The Marco Polo and Monaco’s Offshore Extension Project
The Marco Polo was specially designed to manufacture massive reinforced concrete caissons used in major marine construction projects. Based in Marseille, it played a key role between 2017 and 2019 in the construction of Monaco’s offshore extension, also known as the Anse du Portier project.
A total of 18 giant concrete caissons were built aboard the vessel before being towed to Monaco, where they now form the protective foundation of the Principality’s newest waterfront district.
Having contributed to one of Europe’s most ambitious maritime engineering projects, the Marco Polo is now beginning a new chapter of its history in Taiwan.
Drone Operations Inside a Restricted Port Area
Flying drones inside one of France’s largest commercial ports requires careful planning and strict regulatory compliance.
The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille is a highly controlled environment where every drone flight must be coordinated in advance with the relevant authorities.
For this assignment, Drone-Pictures obtained the necessary authorizations to operate inside a Restricted Access Zone (ZAR), an area normally closed to the public.
These approvals allowed us to safely conduct aerial operations while fully respecting aviation and port security regulations.
Professional drone missions in industrial environments always involve extensive preparation long before the aircraft leaves the ground.
Sunrise Drone Filming with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro
Our day started before sunrise on the Digue du Large.
Early morning offered the best lighting conditions while limiting port traffic during the first stages of the operation.
For this mission we relied on our DJI Mavic 4 Pro, whose outstanding image quality, stability in coastal winds and compact size make it an ideal tool for industrial and maritime filmmaking.
Shortly afterwards, tugboats entered the scene.
The mooring crews released the final lines.
The Marco Polo slowly began leaving its berth for the last time.
On Board the Marco Polo
One of the highlights of the assignment was the opportunity to board the Marco Polo itself during the towing operation.
For nearly an hour, we followed the vessel as it crossed the Port of Marseille toward its final destination.
This unique position allowed us to grab spectacular aerial drone images, providing a complete visual record of the operation.
Ahead of us floated an enormous orange ship that had attracted the attention of many Marseille residents over the previous days.
It was the ALMA, a semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel waiting with its deck partially submerged to receive the Marco Polo.
Just like the MV Sunrise nine years earlier, the ALMA had become the next chapter in the Marco Polo’s remarkable journey.
A Spectacular Heavy-Lift Operation
Once the Marco Polo reached the ALMA, the most technical phase of the operation began.
More than thirty sailors, tugboat crews and heavy-lift specialists worked together with remarkable precision to position the caisson carrier on the submerged deck of the semi-submersible vessel.
The principle behind this type of ship is fascinating. By flooding its ballast tanks, the vessel lowers its cargo deck below the waterline, allowing floating structures to be carefully manoeuvred into position.
Once the Marco Polo was perfectly aligned, it was secured with massive steel supports and heavy-duty mooring equipment.
The ALMA then slowly deballasted, raising its deck and lifting the entire caisson carrier completely out of the water.
Watching a structure of this size emerge from the sea is an impressive engineering spectacle, and one that perfectly illustrates the expertise required for today’s offshore transportation projects.
The complete loading operation lasted more than six hours, with every step carried out under strict safety procedures.
Capturing Unique Aerial Images
Our mission was to document every stage of this exceptional maritime operation through a combination of aerial footage and photography.
Throughout the day, we produced:
- Wide aerial views of the Port of Marseille and the surrounding coastline;
- Drone footage of the towing operation;
- High-resolution photographs for technical documentation;
- Cinematic aerial sequences highlighting the impressive scale of both vessels;
- Close-up images of the crews and heavy-lift operations.
Combining drone footage with images captured directly aboard the Marco Polo provided our client with a complete visual record of this unique event.
Professional Drone Services for Maritime and Industrial Projects
Since 2011, Drone-Pictures has been providing professional drone photography and aerial cinematography for industrial companies, engineering firms, public authorities and construction contractors throughout France.
Our expertise includes:
- Drone filming for industrial projects;
- Aerial photography;
- Maritime operations;
- Construction progress monitoring;
- Infrastructure inspections;
- Roof and facade inspections;
- Photogrammetry and 3D modelling;
- Drone surveys in restricted or regulated areas.
Every mission is carefully prepared in close cooperation with local authorities and project managers to ensure maximum safety while fully complying with European drone regulations.
Whether operating above ports, industrial facilities, construction sites or urban environments, Drone-Pictures delivers high-quality aerial imagery tailored to each client’s technical and communication needs.
Acknowledgements
We would like to sincerely thank all the crews involved in this remarkable operation, the teams from the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, the port authorities who made these drone flights possible, and especially our client for their trust throughout the project.
Their collaboration allowed us to document one of the most impressive maritime operations ever filmed by Drone-Pictures.
May these photographs, taken during this unique drone mission in the heart of the Port of Marseille, convince you!
