A remotely operated harbour tug developed by Keppel Offshore & Marine has become the first such vessel in the world to receive the Remote Control Navigation Notation from class society ABS.

A trial of the 65-metre tug, controlled from a remote location at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Maritime Innovation Lab, was successfully performed in April 2021. The second phase of the project, scheduled for late 2021, will see the vessel perform autonomous collision avoidance tasks while under remote supervision. The Maju 510 tug is owned and operated by Keppel O&M’s joint-venture company Keppel Smit Towage.

“As the overall system integrator, Keppel O&M is able to provide technology solutions and integrate best-in-class systems to offer customisable remote and autonomous functions for vessels,” said Tan Leong Peng, Managing Director (New Builds), Keppel O&M.

“With the offshore and marine sector evolving rapidly, we are leveraging our engineering expertise and harnessing advanced technologies to stay at the forefront of the industry. In line with Keppel’s Vision 2030, we are also collaborating with the Keppel ecosystem of companies, such as M1 with its connectivity solutions, to enhance our value add.”

ABS recently published its Guide for Autonomous and Remote-Control Functions, which introduced the REMOTE-CON notation and another recognising autonomous functions. The Guide sets out a goal-based framework for the implementation of these technologies on vessels and offshore units.

The Guide’s goal-based framework also covers interactions with relevant stakeholders such as port authorities and other vessels, using a risk-based approach to determine the requirements for the assessment and implementation of autonomous and remote-control functions.