Trelleborg making tug operations safer

The potential of the ever-expanding gathering of big data is a topic of increasing interest, for example with the development of remote-controlled and autonomous tug operation. Linked with this, the Internet of Things (IoT) allows huge amounts of information to be gathered from hardware providing real-time pictures of situations.

A typical port-based shiphandling operation can involve the coordination of often up to four tugs by the pilot and bridge team, the tug masters often unaware of the position and relative movement of the ship and other tugs.

Maximising the value of such data however requires more than just collecting individual silos of knowledge but connecting them and part of Trelleborg’s SafeTug software is its integration with SmartPort Cloud to provide tug masters, pilots, bridge teams and ports with real-time, accurate data on the movement of the ship being assisted including its speed and direction, rate of turn and trajectory along with heading and course over the ground. The position of other tugs is also displayed.

Ease of operation is essential with provision of situational awareness and data presented on portable devices displaying information only relevant to the particular manoeuvre and Richard Hepworth, Trelleborg’s marine systems operation president explains further: “… SafeTug improves the range and accuracy of navigational measurements, offering true 360’ visibility and enhancing situational awareness in real time. This helps the pilot to know exactly where the tugs are located and for the tug master to know exactly what the movement of assisted vessel is, creating a safer and more effective pilotage experience.”

The integration with SmartPort Cloud allows the exchange of data providing an overview of port and piloting operations including over-the-air differential corrections, real-time traffic overview, live positioning data with predicted paths, data recording and storage including where on-shore crew can monitor the whole operation as it happens and by playback for investigation.

SmartPort powers the interface between ship and port, ashore and afloat connecting port operations and allowing operators to analyse performance and use data to improve decision making. The system also integrates assets including fenders, mooring equipment, ship performance monitoring and navigation systems underpinned by cloud and IoT.

By Peter Barker