Kotug chief executive Ard-Jan Kooren explains how and why the tug and offshore vessel operator is investing in digitalisation and remote operations
Kotug International is a leader in the towage and offshore sector in adopting digitalisation solutions to cut fuel consumption and develop remote control technology.
This group provides terminal and harbour towage and offshore support operations through a diverse fleet operating worldwide. And according to Kotug chief executive Ard-Jan Kooren, it has achieved more than 16% fuel savings from fuel monitoring and digital logging.
These savings were gained on eight tugs in its fleet using OnBoard’s fuel management application that logs and reports the average fuel consumption for each activity. “In this way the tugs can see how they perform against a set profile,” says Mr Kooren.
This digital application negates the need to track activities with log sheets. “This is a big advantage for the crew to reduce the administration burden,” he explains. Kotug will soon be able to guarantee more than 16% fuel savings from continuous monitoring and digitally logging tug performance.
OnBoard’s fuel management application allows tug operators to effectively analyse how the tugs perform in any given situation. “This is a great example of how to achieve a reduction of operational cost through innovation, not to mention the potential environmental benefits,” says Mr Kooren. “Emissions reductions will continue to be a hot topic in the maritime industry in the years to come. By adapting early we hope to make way for a cleaner maritime industry in the near future.”
“The innovative spirit is something we inherited. In fact, innovation is in Kotug’s DNA”
For Kotug, this is just the beginning of its technical developments, as its management can see the benefits for using unmanned surface and aerial units for tug operations. “The innovative spirit is something we inherited. In fact, innovation is in Kotug’s DNA,” Mr Kooren explains.
The company explores innovative concepts to enhance daily operations with the aim of improving safety and reducing risk. “Remote tug fire-fighting and connecting towing lines using drones are exemplary” Mr Kooren emphasises.
Another Kotug project expected to help reduce carbon emissions is its collaboration with PortX. By using OptiPort software to optimise in-port vessel operations for towing, tug operators can achieve a significant reduction in mobilisation miles and fuel reductions.
“It all comes down to the smarter dispatching of tugs with a solution that applies big data analytics,” says Mr Kooren. This seamlessly integrates available data sources, such as port management data, agency information and actual vessel positions. “This integration allows us to provide the most optimal schedule for any given situation in the port” Mr Kooren explains.
Remote tug trials
During H2 2018, Kotug controlled 16-m training Rotortug, RT Borkum, in the Netherlands, using a 360˚ bridge simulator in Marseille, France, as a remote-control hub. “The purpose of this project is to gain knowledge in creating situational awareness on a remote bridge,” says Kotug manager for fleet performance and innovation Koos Smoor. “Development and testing are ongoing with our focus on being able to remotely control a fire-fighting tug.”
“Development and testing are ongoing with our focus on being able to remotely control a fire-fighting tug”
Kotug used real-time sensor technology to monitor the position and surroundings, which provided the remote-control captain with the situational awareness needed to safely operate the training tug.
Kotug worked with bridge and simulator provider Alphatron on this project. Veth was also involved, providing the steering and engine control system, OnBoard provided the means to convert the steering and engine control signal to internet protocol and vice versa, and M2M Blue delivered the virtual private network connectivity between the vessel and control hub. “An interesting combination of industry knowhow and technological expertise,” says Mr Smoor.
Drone developments
A recently patented procedure for using a drone to connect a towline to an assisted vessel is another Kotug invention with a safety purpose. Mr Smoor thinks this could drastically improve the safety margin of tug operations. “The ultimate goal is to completely eliminate the need for tug operators to manoeuvre the tug close to the fore section of the assisted vessel which is a potentially dangerous area,” he explains.
Instead of crew members on the tug catching the heaving line of the assisted ship, a drone is used to deliver a messenger line from the tug to a predetermined location on the assisted vessel. This will allow the tug to safely sail beside the assisted ship and the crew to stay out of harm’s way.
“We are optimising the method to deliver the line with object recognition software”
“Development and testing are ongoing on shore,” says Mr Smoor. “We are optimising the method to deliver the line with object recognition software.” He says the drone components are being upgraded to withstand the harsh conditions of seawater.
“When onshore testing is completed, we will do tests on the water, for this we need permission from aviation authorities,” he adds. “The implementation of specific rules and regulations will be crucial to fly in a controlled airspace with the drone”, Mr Kooren adds.
Kotug has also developed technology for detecting gaseous fumes while a vessel is under voyage, to support its operations close to a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility. It operates infield support vessels on Shell’s multi-billion-dollar Prelude FLNG project, offshore Australia.
Close to the FLNG facility, the world’s largest and arguably most expensive ship, vessels are at risk of being exposed to potentially explosive gas clouds. To prevent explosions, the vessels are fitted with systems which shut down onboard systems if it enters a gas cloud of a particular density.
This prevents the vessel from being a source of ignition. But, it also leaves the vessel uncontrollable, which could risks a collision with the FLNG facility or a loading tanker.
Together with Lloyds Register’s safety accelerator programme, and NeuroControls, Kotug has started a project to seek innovative new methods to detect and visualise gas clouds. This will enable a vessel to anticipate and avoid a gas cloud altogether by sailing around it.
Snapshot CV: Ard-Jan Kooren
Ard Jan Kooren has worked in the family-run company since 1990 after studying at universities in Antwerp, Belgium, and Phoenix, US. He worked his way up with time as manager for marketing and operations, vice president and commercial director, before becoming the president and chief executive in 2002.
Kotug innovations
Remote control tugboats – tested using RT Borkum; developing controls for fire-fighting tugs.
Drone technology – UAVs developed for tow messenger line transfer; permission needed from aviation authorities for sea trials.
Fuel monitoring – Average 16% fuel savings; OnBoard’s fuel management application.
Automatic dispatch – Using PortX OptiPort software; optimising in-port vessel operations.
Gas cloud identification – Working with NeuroControls and Lloyd’s Register; testing on vessels supporting Shell’s Prelude FLNG project, Australia.
Innovations in remote control and autonomous systems will be recognised at Riviera Maritime Media's Sulphur Cap 2020 Conference, Awards and Exhibition, in May, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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