Svitzer and two partners have launched a project to develop the first fully operational remotely controlled tugboat.

The AP Moller-Maersk-controlled towage giant is carrying out the project with Norwegian engineering group Kongsberg Maritime and US classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

Svitzer will provide a newly built tug with crew plus operational experience, while Kongsberg will develop the remote-control systems and autonomous technology. ABS will handle regulatory approval.

The Recotug project aims to develop a tug that will be able to perform a full towage operation with all operations controlled from a remote operations centre.

Svitzer expects to use the vessel for commercial remote tug operations in the Port of Copenhagen, but no detailed timeline was given other than “the project is expected to run for the years to come”.

The project continues on from a 2017 test by Svitzer and Rolls-Royce Marine to remotely operate the 5,438-bhp tug Svitzer Hermod (built 2016) in Copenhagen. Kongsberg later acquired the Rolls-Royce company.

The tests involved a master stationed at a remote operating centre manoeuvring the vessel alongside the quay, turning 360 degrees and sailing out before docking again.

Ground-breaking work

Kongsberg Maritime is involved in several remote and autonomous vessel control system projects.

President Egil Haugsdal said: “This venture takes that ground-breaking work a step further by integrating these key technologies into a new context of operation.”

Svitzer global chief operating officer Ingrid Uppelschoten Snelderwaard added that the industry is still several years away from remotely controlled tugs in commercial operation with no crew on board.

“There is no doubt that advanced autonomy is progressing fast,” she said.

“We start with one tug and explore from there how to best leverage technology, improve safety and efficiency and meet our customer’s demand for reliable and cost-efficient services, also in the future.”

ABS chairman, president and chief executive Christopher Wiernicki highlighted that the project comes as safety moves from “things you can see and touch” to software and data.

“ABS has been spearheading development of next-generation safety approaches that draw on our expertise as a technical integrator,” he said.

“Greater industry collaboration is going to be key to meeting the challenges of digitalisation and maritime sustainability.”