Maritime

IntelliTug Project -Autonomous harbour tug takes a big step towards reality

The technology group Wärtsilä, in collaboration with PSA Marine, has achieved a breakthrough in its IntelliTug project.

Published

5 days ago

November 7, 2019

Wartsila

IntelliTug Project -Autonomous harbour tug takes a big step towards reality. Image: Wartslia

The technology group Wärtsilä, in collaboration with PSA Marine, has achieved a breakthrough in its IntelliTug project. Following the successful installation of a first-of-its-kind Dynamic Positioning (DP) system onboard the harbour tug ‘PSA Polaris’, trials are now being carried out in the Port of Singapore under real-world conditions.

This phase of the project implementation, which has been approved by Lloyd’s Register, moves the bar higher on safety standards for vessel automation and autonomy. The Wärtsilä and PSA Marine IntelliTug project is also supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

The new DP system, also known as the Joystick Maneuvering System (JMS), enables easier and more intuitive control of the tug’s movement. With the push of a button, the tug master can achieve ‘virtual anchoring’ to hold position and/or maintain the tug’s heading. The DP system also forms the foundational technology layer for the IntelliTug project, enabling digital navigation instructions to be passed to the vessel’s propulsion systems. The system has received a Statement of Compliance from Lloyd’s Register for the DP notation, thereby endorsing its safety, reliability and performance.

PSA Marine is a leading harbour and terminal towage operator in Singapore, the world’s busiest transshipment hub. To meet the challenges of the evolving port, which is expected to double its capacity by 2040, Wärtsilä and PSA Marine are developing and field-testing intelligent vessel capabilities and viable pathways to achieve safe and sustainable autonomous operations. The IntelliTug project is bringing to life a smart tug that can enhance the capabilities of the tug master by autonomously performing a range of routine missions. This will ease the task of addressing the complex demands faced by tug masters on a daily basis.

“The IntelliTug project is about discovering smarter, safer, and more efficient ways of operating a harbour tug. It incorporates human-centric technology, design thinking, and man–machine collaboration. We are on a journey of turning today’s ideas into tomorrow’s reality,” said Bernard Wong, Head of Fleet Management at PSA Marine.

“Safety and productivity are key areas being improved with our autonomous vessel technology. As we develop and learn from these technologies, the values we are able to provide to our customers will grow exponentially, providing a very clear path for businesses needing to compete in the new intelligent maritime industry,” said Paul Kendall, Wärtsilä’s Director of Sales, Dynamic Positioning.

“With the growing interest in repurposing existing vessel systems for autonomous navigation, Lloyd’s Register is taking the lead in making sure that control systems are safe and compliant as both a human-machine interface for vessel control, as well as the foundational layer for digital navigation instructions. We are delighted to advise that Wärtsilä’s DP system has met the requirements of our DP notation,” said Andrew Watt Lloyd’s Register’s Centre of Excellence Manager for South Asia, the Middle East & Africa.

The PSA Marine tug masters involved in the IntelliTug project underwent simulation and onboard training before commencing actual operating trials onboard ‘PSA Polaris’. Wärtsilä and PSA Marine will continue development of the IntelliTug project throughout the coming months, including physical test-bedding and trials in Singapore port waters.

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Maritime

IMO launches online tool to smooth reporting formalities

An important tool used by software developers to create systems for exchanging the relevant data electronically has been made available by the Organization online and free of charge.

Published

20 hours ago

November 12, 2019

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

IMO launches online tool to smooth reporting formalities. Image: IMO

Streamlining the many administrative procedures necessary when ships enter or leave port is an important element of IMO’s work. And now, an important tool used by software developers to create systems for exchanging the relevant data electronically has been made available by the Organization online and free of charge.

The IMO Compendium is a reference manual containing data sets and the structure and relationships between them, that will enable the IMO Member States to fulfil a mandatory obligation (in place since April 2019) for the reporting formalities for ships, cargo and people on board international shipping to be carried out electronically and in a harmonised way.

Overall this helps make cross-border trade simpler and the logistics chain more efficient, for the more than 10 billion tons of goods which are traded by sea annually across the globe.

IMO is not the only organization dealing with electronic data exchange in maritime transport. But others, notably the World Customs Organization, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the International Standards Organization, have aligned their own data structures with the IMO Compendium to promote harmonization.

Maritime

Goplapur Port, the new gateway to the east coast of India

Goplapur Port, the new gateway to the east coast of India is located in the mineral rich state of Odisha.

Published

21 hours ago

November 11, 2019

Goplapur Port

Goplapur Port, the new gateway to the east coast of India. Image: Wikimedia/ Government of Odisha

Goplapur Port, the new gateway to the east coast of India is located in the mineral rich state of Odisha. It lies between Paradip Port in the north and Visakhapatnam Port in the south at almost equi distance from each. The hinterland of the port are the states of Odisha, Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh, thus providing access to mix of minerals, steel, aluminium, cement and power plants.

The Port was commissioned with limited operational infrastructure in March 2013 and since then it has undergone expansion and presently offers berth length of 800 meters with draught of 13.5 meters and is handling Handymax & Supramax vessels.

The Port is poised to offer a draught of 14.5 meters and would be able to handle geared and gearless Panamax & post Panamax vessels.

The Port has adequate compacted open space for storage of various dry bulk commodities.

Rail infrastructure is also under development to be completed by Dec 2019 for offering 6 sidings in place of present 2 sidings for efficient cargo receipt & evacuation.

The port is connected to the broad-gauge Howrah- Chennai east coast trunk route through a track length of 6 Km and has access to NH-16 (Kolkata – Chennai) through NH 516 of 7 Km length thus offering excellent rail and road connectivity.

The management of the Port is with Shapoorji Pallonji Port Maintenance Limited a group company of Shapoorji Pallonji having acquired major stake since April 2017.

Maritime

Phase 2 of Shahid Beheshti Port development plan underway

Director General of Sistan and Baluchestan Ports and Maritime: Chabahar Port has the capacity to discharge 12,000 tons of goods and 2,000 tons of staples per day.

Published

21 hours ago

November 11, 2019

MRUD Ports and Maritime Organization Iran

Phase 2 of Shahid Beheshti Port development plan underway. Image: Ports & Maritime Organization

Director General of Sistan and Baluchestan Ports and Maritime: Chabahar Port has the capacity to discharge 12,000 tons of goods and 2,000 tons of staples per day.

Behrouz Aghaee stated that given the high capacity of importing a share of the essential commodities of the country through the largest oceanic port of Iran, several follow-up meeting have been held to arrange the import of staple needed by the eastern provinces through this General Office and Chabahar port.

By holding numerous meetings and visiting of government officials, the Ministry of Commerce instructed two large state-owned companies to transfer 50% of their importehttps://freightcomms.com/files/d goods through the chabahar port; and since October this year we have witnessed the arrival of staple cargo ships at the port.

Aghaee added: Due to the proper infrastructure of unloading and loading and in order to prevent the deposition of goods, more than 70% of the unloaded staples have been discharged from the port. Transportation of staples through Chabahar port will reduce the prices and traffic for ships waiting for disembarkation in other southern ports of the country.

Aghaee added that Phase 2 of the Shahid Beheshti Port Development Plan is underway. Furthermore 30 pieces Strategic equipment including 9 offshore cranes, 13 pieces loading and unloading equipment have been assembled and operationalized in Chabahar port.