Delegates at Riviera Maritime Media’s 27th International Tug & Salvage (ITS) Convention & Exhibition in Dubai, UAE, on 22 May 2024 were given examples of how data analytics can help tug owners reduce maintenance costs, and naval architects design optimised hybrid propulsion systems.

The latest information on cyber security and how to protect assets, ports and IT networks from online issues was also presented.

Uzmar Shipyard budget and strategic projects manager Arif Volga Kaya explained how digital technology is enabling preventative and predictive maintenance, real-time engine and machinery monitoring, and efficient fleet management.

He said Uzmar Technologies has developed DigiTug, a program using data from across a tugboat, artificial intelligence (AI) and a vessel data management system (VDMS) to provide insight to tug masters and owner operators.

“The VDMS hardware collects data from electrical systems on board, sensors and the integrated navigation system and runs this through AI,” said Mr Kaya. Information is stored in the VDMS and sent to a cloud-based platform where it can be linked to a tug owner’s planned maintenance system or enterprise resource management software.

DigiTug includes a fleet management centre enabling owners to view all data from vessels in a single program for trending and optimisation. “This needs big data and a large database,” he said.

“To conduct AI modelling, we need to provide real data to enable AI to learn by identifying normal and abnormal conditions.”

Data from engines, navigation systems and deck machinery are integrated to enable AI to learn what is normal for towing and transit – then alert crew to any abnormalities. This information is used to generate forecast values of various measurable parameters, which are compared with actual values for creating predictive maintenance based on forecast data.

Berg Propulsion business manager for electrical system integration Mattias Dombrowe described how operational data and forecast profiles enable naval architects to design optimal tug propulsion systems involving energy storage and other power generators.

“The first step is to look at the operational profile, the port and get data on the hours waiting or on standby, time from the quayside to the assisted vessel, fuel consumption, distance of voyage and bollard pull needed,” he said.

Then designers look at overall requirements, including sustainability, crewing and operations, and capital and operational expenditure. They could design the whole propulsion system around the thrusters and bollard pull required, and consider lowering the rated power, fuel consumption and installing energy storage.

They then look at the automation and utilisation of the system. “Get an overview of the system, the power available, units used to generate power, and look at performance analysis and the results,” said Mr Dombrowe. Crew can change modes to select using gensets and batteries instead of engines to reduce emissions, based on data from the automation and engineroom systems.