NYK completes tests of remotely navigated tug

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) subsidiaries MTI, Keihin Dock, and Japan Marine Science (JMS) have successfully tested the remote navigation of a tug as a part of the Japanese government’s Sea Trial Project on Remote Control Navigation.

During the tests, a tug situated in Tokyo Bay was operated remotely from a shore station in the city of Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture approximately 400 kilometres away. The tug was manoeuvred over a distance of approximately 12 kilometers in between an area off Honmoku and an area off the port of Yokosuka.

The operator in the remote operation center was able to use sensors and cameras fitted on the tug to recognise surrounding conditions, hence allowing the creation of a collision avoidance route plan. The operator shared the plan with the tug’s captain, who then approved them.

The tug used in the tests was operated by NYK subsidiary Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha Corporation.

NYK said further testing of the remote navigation technology will be carried out this year using other types of commercial vessels.