Wärtsilä and PSA Marine achieved a breakthrough in their IntelliTug project in the port of Singapore

Following successful installation of a first-of-its-kind Dynamic Positioning (DP) system onboard the harbour tug ‘PSA Polaris’, trials are now being carried out in the Port of Singapore under real-world conditions.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 7-Nov-2019 — /EuropaWire/ — Wärtsilä and PSA Marine IntelliTug project achieved a breakthrough following the successful installation of a first-of-its-kind Dynamic Positioning (DP) system onboard the harbour tug ‘PSA Polaris’. Trials are now being carried out in the Port of Singapore under real-world conditions. Lloyd’s Register approved this phase of the project implementation. This moves the bar higher on safety standards for vessel automation and autonomy. The IntelliTug project is also backed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Also known as the Joystick Maneuvering System (JMS), the new DP system enables easier and more intuitive control of the tug’s movement. The tug master can achieve ‘virtual anchoring’ to hold position and/or maintain the tug’s heading with just a push of a button. The DP system enables digital navigation instructions to be passed to the vessel’s propulsion systems, forming the foundational technology layer for the IntelliTug project. The system has received a Statement of Compliance from Lloyd’s Register for the DP notation, thereby endorsing its safety, reliability and performance.

Wärtsilä and PSA Marine, a leading harbour and terminal towage operator in Singapore, which is the world’s busiest transshipment hub, are developing and field-testing intelligent vessel capabilities and viable pathways to achieve safe and sustainable autonomous operations to meet the challenges of the evolving port, which is expected to double its capacity by 2040. The IntelliTug project will enhance the capabilities of the tug master by autonomously performing a range of routine missions and ease the task of addressing the complex demands faced by tug masters on a daily basis.

Bernard Wong, Head of Fleet Management at PSA Marine, commented: “The IntelliTug project is about discovering smarter, safer, and more efficient ways of operating a harbour tug. It incorporates human-centric technology, design thinking, and man–machine collaboration. We are on a journey of turning today’s ideas into tomorrow’s reality.”

Paul Kendall, Wärtsilä’s Director of Sales, Dynamic Positioning, said: “Safety and productivity are key areas being improved with our autonomous vessel technology. As we develop and learn from these technologies, the values we are able to provide to our customers will grow exponentially, providing a very clear path for businesses needing to compete in the new intelligent maritime industry.”

Andrew Watt, Lloyd’s Register’s Centre of Excellence Manager for South Asia, the Middle East & Africa, added: “With the growing interest in repurposing existing vessel systems for autonomous navigation, Lloyd’s Register is taking the lead in making sure that control systems are safe and compliant as both a human-machine interface for vessel control, as well as the foundational layer for digital navigation instructions. We are delighted to advise that Wärtsilä’s DP system has met the requirements of our DP notation.”

Before commencing actual operating trials onboard ‘PSA Polaris’, the PSA Marine tug masters part of the IntelliTug project underwent simulation and onboard training. Both companies are committed to further development of the IntelliTug project throughout the coming months, including physical test-bedding and trials in Singapore port waters.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
General Manager, Positioning, Marine Business Marketing
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 10 709 1439
marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com

Ms Anna Fong
Senior Manager (Human Resource & Corporate Communications)
PSA Marine
Direct: +65 6379 9883
Mobile: +65 9171 1219
annafong@globalpsa.com

SOURCE: Wärtsilä