On 22 June, Dutch towage operator Kotug demonstrated what it claims to be the sailing of the first remote-controlled tugboat over a long distance, under a joint industry project.
The RT ‘Borkum’ was controlled from the International Tug, Salvage & OSV Convention and Exhibition (ITS) ITS in Marseille, while the RT Borkum was sailing in Rotterdam.
A captain of Kotug took over the control of the tug via a remote secured internet line and camera images. These cameras and controls of the tugboat were used on the demo consoles in Marseille. There was no external subsidy used.
Kotug believes that unmanned remote controlled ships will be the first step to ultimately unmanned-autonomous shipping.
The company uses its Rotterdam simulator for further testing of unmanned operation tasks. The real time sensor technology makes it possible to give the remote control captain the situational awareness that is needed for safe operation. Combined with the drone technology to connect the towline, unmanned shipping is commercially and technically getting closer, the company noted.
However, Kotug added, there is still a regulatory gap to be addressed for the operation of autonomous vessels:
Unmanned shipping does not yet comply with current rules and regulations. Therefore, rules need to be amended before tugs can actually start doing their tasks fully autonomous.
Other partners of the project include Rotortug, Alphatron, Veth, and M2M Blue.
