Digitalisation is a driving force as tug manufacturers capture data from the tug’s operating performance to enhance design improvements and modifications.

Performance optimisation is a key goal at a time when ships are getting ever larger but port constraints such as berths, turning circles and approaches remain fixed. So, manufacturers are using remote monitoring and other means to retrieve all digital data available on the vessel’s operation.

They make use of existing sources onboard, like the alarm and monitoring system, navigation and communication equipment and any additional systems onboard that generate data. Additional sensors can be placed for specific functionality.