Tug owners invest in AI apps to boost fleet efficiency

Emar Offshore Services is investing in digitalisation technology this year to enhance its operations and raise its ship-handling capabilities.

The Netherlands-headquartered owner is working with a Dutch start-up to use AI to optimise data processing and logistics.

Wave AI Solutions will help it to enhance its purchasing and logistics workflows, for both incoming and outgoing goods, destined for its vessels operating in West Africa. Emar will also work with Wave AI to build a central digital knowledge hub where maritime legislation, crewing data, technical documentation, and other key information streams will be stored.

“This will serve as a single, reliable point of information across our organisation,” said Emar. “Step by step, we are shaping a future-ready, data-driven and more efficient company, while contributing to the growth of new local technical talent.”

Emar is awaiting the arrival of a new azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugboat in July 2026 after its construction by Damen Shipyards, adding to its fleet of eight towing tugs.

E-Ten is being constructed by Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam to Damen’s ASD Tug 2813 design. It is progressing towards completion, and the 28-m vessel will be available for term charters and worldwide towage in Q3 2026.

E-Ten will have 83 tonnes of bollard pull ahead and 80 astern, a beam of 13 m, a FiFi1 firefighting system, bilge and fuel management and dedicated tanks for fresh water, lubricants, foam, and dirty oil.

Kotug International released more updates to OptiPort fleet scheduling software as it prepares to introduce version 2.0 later this year. Its upgrade release in December 2025 included enhancements to streamline operations and improve the user experience.

Key highlights include enabling tug timeline and operational replays to third parties via a secure link; integrating information and warnings for vessels, tugs and towage jobs if there is missing data or weather-related delays; and introducing full control of synchronising information with enterprise resource planning software.

Kotug has improved OptiPort intelligence and analytics with new automated detection capabilities; algorithms to detect and classify tug operations worldwide; to identify operational bottlenecks and efficiency opportunities; and to analyse asset utilisation.

Ultratug owner Ultranav is expanding its use of AI across its diverse fleet of more than 420 managed vessels to help seafarers navigate safely and avoid hazards.

The privately held Chilean owner will deploy AI-driven programs on its tankers, bulk carriers, container ships and gas carriers after successfully running a pilot project within one of its business units.

Ultranav will install ShipIn Systems’ FleetVision across its fleet, which includes more than 90 harbour tugs and offshore support vessels, to scale AI-enabled safety and navigation risk management across its operations.

FleetVision’s bridge, safety and technical modules will be integrated with onboard camera systems to provide visibility of risks during vessel operations and to complement Ultranav’s established safety management practices.

The 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.