Trelleborg Launches SafeTug Technology at Port Hedland
Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure has successfully rolled out its innovative SafeTug real-time positioning technology to the towage fleet at the Port of Port Hedland in Western Australia. This deployment follows a successful trial and marks the first large-scale implementation of SafeTug, part of a broader initiative by Pilbara Ports to enhance marine operations. With dedicated training from Trelleborg’s Navigation and Piloting team, the technology aims to improve safety and efficiency across the fleet of 27 vessels.
Enhancing Operational Precision at a Critical Port
The Port of Port Hedland is recognized as the world’s largest iron ore bulk export terminal by volume, playing a crucial role in the Australian economy. The port operates a single shipping channel for capesize bulk carriers, making operational precision and safety essential for maintaining uninterrupted trade flows. Trelleborg’s SafeTug technology is designed to provide the precise coordination needed in these constrained waterways, where multiple vessels operate simultaneously.
Tommy Mikkelsen, Managing Director of Trelleborg’s Navigation and Piloting division, emphasized the importance of SafeTug in such high-stakes maritime environments. “Port of Port Hedland’s operational environment, where continuous channel access is essential, demonstrates the technology’s application in high-stakes maritime operations,” he stated. With SafeTug deployed across all tug vessels, the port will benefit from unprecedented real-time situational awareness during vessel movements.
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SafeTug addresses the limitations of traditional vessel tracking systems used during port maneuvers. The technology offers continuous real-time positional data for tugboats, eliminating the lag and delayed refresh rates that often affect Automatic Identification Systems. By integrating with Trelleborg’s SafePilot Cloud Server and the SafePilot PPU systems used by pilots, SafeTug creates a unified operational picture for all parties involved in vessel movements.
Improving Safety and Efficiency for Tug Operations
The SafeTug system captures, displays, and shares dynamic data that tug skippers require for safe and efficient operations. It provides critical information such as vessel speed, direction, rate of turn, trajectory, heading, and course over ground. This comprehensive data allows tugboat masters and pilots to visualize the position and orientation of other tugs, facilitating coordinated decision-making during approach, berthing, and departure operations.
With the implementation of SafeTug, the Port of Port Hedland is set to enhance its operational capabilities significantly. The technology not only improves safety but also streamlines the efficiency of vessel movements, ensuring that the port can continue to handle vital commodity flows that are essential to the Australian economy.
