Keppel O&M successfully completed its maiden autonomous vessel project. More specifically, capable of autonomous vessel navigation as well as collision detection and avoidance (CDCA), the Maju 510 tug is the first vessel in the world to receive the Autonomous Notation from ABS classification society.
The tug is the first in South Asia that can be remotely operated by joystick control. It can be controlled from the shore command centre with a joystick even for complex manoeuvres, and was the first vessel in the world to receive the ABS Remote Control Navigation Notation in October 2021.
It is also the first vessel to receive the Smart (Autonomous) Notation under the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). This certifies the tug’s ability to perform autonomous and remote control navigation in a controlled environment with seafarers on board.
Autonomous vessels and technologies have immense potential to transform the nature of maritime operations
Chris Ong, CEO of Keppel O&M, said.
In addition, Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of MPA, mentioned that Singapore’s regulatory sandbox for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) allows industry players, like Keppel Offshore & Marine, to develop and demonstrate smart navigation capabilities in port waters.
As for Singapore, MPA will continue to collaborate with industry partners to advance the deployment of autonomous vessels in the port.
The Maju 510 uses artificial intelligence to automate navigational observations, fusion of data from different sources, risk assessment, decision making and vessel control.
The tug was also outfitted with various technologies including a Digital Twin which simulates vessel behavior in multiple scenarios.