Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) has successfully completed its maiden autonomous vessel project.
The Maju 510 tug – which is capable of autonomous vessel navigation and collision detection and avoidance (CDCA) – is owned and operated by Keppel Smit Towage.
The tug was outfitted with state-of-the-art systems and technologies like the ABB Ability Marine Pilot Vision and Marine Pilot Control, which use artificial intelligence to automate navigational observations, fusion of data from different sources, risk assessment, decision making and vessel control.
The tug was also outfitted with various technologies such as a digital twin which simulates vessel behaviour in multiple scenarios.
It is the first in South Asia that can be operated remotely by joystick control. It can also be controlled from the shore command centre with a joystick, even for complex manoeuvres.
This has given the tug several accolades, such as being the first vessel to receive the Autonomous Notation from the ABS classification society as well as the ABS Remote Control Navigation Notation.
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The vessel was also the first to receive the Smart (Autonomous) Notation under the Singapore Registry of Ships by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. This certifies the tug’s ability to perform autonomous and remote-control navigation in a controlled environment, with seafarers on board.
“Autonomous vessels and technologies have immense potential to transform the nature of maritime operations,” says Chris Ong, CEO of Keppel O&M.
“With in-depth engineering expertise and extensive retrofitting experience, Keppel O&M is able to customise autonomous solutions for a range of vessels. This includes digitalising onboard systems and processes, modifying the vessel, as well as integrating best-in-class technologies and enhanced systems connectivity,” he explained.
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MPA Chief Executive Quah Ley Hoon says she is pleased that the tug boat has received the first Smart (Autonomous) D2B notation.
“Singapore’s regulatory sandbox for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) allows industry players, like Keppel O&M, to develop and demonstrate smart navigation capabilities in our port waters,” she added.
Agreeing, Romi Kaushal managing director of Keppel Smit Towage highlighted that autonomous and remote operations enhance the efficiency and safety of tug operations by adding value with additional traffic and situational operational information.
With this, the tug captain and crew can focus on the more critical tasks of safe tugging operations, he added.
Following the completion of the autonomous tug, Keppel O&M and Keppel Smit Towage aim to collaborate with MPA to test varying degrees of autonomous operations, including interaction and collaborative operations among autonomous vessels, tests in live traffic, remotely supervised autonomous operation with improved port connectivity, and pushing and towing operations.
Shares in Keppel Corp closed up a cent or 0.15% at $6.51 on Apr 7, before the announcement.
Cover image of Maju 510 tug: Keppel O&M
