German coalition simulates remote tug navigation operation

The project, entitled FernSAMS based on the German language acronym for remote-controlled tugs used during mooring and casting-off, includes a coalition of commercial and research institute participants. The project is led by Voith Turbo Marine, while other partners include the Hamburg University of Technology, the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services, the Federal Office for Hydraulic Engineering and McGregor.

The simulation modelled the performance of 35m-long RAVE tug, driven by two in-line Voith-Schneider propellers (VSP). The simulation drew on work conducted by consortium partner Hamburg University of Technology to model the interaction effects of a 14000 TEU container vessel during typical harbour manoeuvres.

The project was developed to model the performance of the latest generations of larger vessels, and their interaction with tugs.

Looking forward, Voith identified the development of a remotely operated tug fleet as a potential commercial application of the technology, drawing on technology developed during the project.

“The basic principle is to replace one or several tugs in a team with unmanned vessels. The remote control is done on board one of the boats involved,” Dr. Dirk Jürgens, Vice President Research and Development at Voith Turbo Marine and Project Manager for FernSAMS said in a statement before the simulation.

Such an arrangement would reduce the cost of tug operations, by allowing the specifications of unmanned vessels to be altered, reducing the weight and cost of the vessels, while increasing the speed of harbour operations.

Voith also noted that the solution could reduce the risk of accidents by allowing all critical manoeuvres and operations to be controlled from a safe distance.