The Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed a MoU with Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) and the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), to jointly develop autonomous vessels for a variety of operations, including channeling, berthing, mooring and towing operations.
The development and application of remote or autonomous vessels could potentially automate operations and enhance safety and productivity in Singaporean port. Such developments and pilot projects are expected to contribute to Singapore’s experience and act as demand drivers for local capability development in selected areas.
Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA, said:
Our partnership with Keppel O&M and NUS TCOMS allows us to test the operations of autonomous vessels such as harbour tugs in our port waters as well as the interface between such vessels and our future vessel traffic management systems. As one of the world’s busiest ports, Singapore provides an excellent test-bed for autonomous systems which will have to meet the highest standards of safety and security.
Under the deal, Keppel O&M will use its remote vessel monitoring and analytics programme, VesselCareTM, as the base platform in the initial phase to develop autonomous vessels. VesselCareTM is able to perform data consolidation, condition based monitoring and maintenance, mining and analytics of vessels.
Mr Chris Ong, CEO of Keppel O&M, stated:
We are pleased to partner MPA and TCOMS to take the next step in developing fully autonomous vessels. The industry is keen to explore the commercial use of autonomous vessels as there are multiple safety, efficiency and cost benefits.
During the advanced stages of monitoring and controlling a vessel, the project will develop a Digital Twin of the tug which will simulate vessel behaviour to help optimise the vessel operations using data analytics and visualisation tools. TCOMS will provide expertise in coupled physical-numerical modelling and simulation to evolve solutions that improve on the predictability and control of the behaviour and response of the vessel.
Prof. Chan Eng Soon, CEO of TCOMS, added:
The behaviour of marine vessels in challenging operating conditions is complex and to some extent still poorly understood. This is one key technical challenge that we seek to address, to ensure that autonomous vessels could operate safely and reliably while enhancing efficiency and productivity.
As the maritime industry moves towards leveraging technology to produce more autonomous vessels & operations that is safer, faster, and more cost-effective, one potential application is the regional harbour fleet of crafts including tug boats, pilot boats and ferries, among others.
