Kotug, in collaboration with integration partner Helm Operations, is maximising efficiency for some of America’s busiest ports by autonomously scheduling tug movements.
Since early 2022, Kotug’s OptiPort solution has been used at the Los Angeles (LA) and Long Beach (LB) in California, Port Arthur in Texas and the Port of Tampa in Florida, maximising vessel deployment and saving on costs.
“OptiPort utilises the latest developments in machine learning, data science, mathematical programming and data analytics,” said Patrick Everts, general manager at Kotug.
”It is the world’s first cloud-based tug scheduling software to use AI to optimise decision-making continuously and has been designed exclusively for maritime service providers.”
Optimised modelling
The process of scheduling the right tugs to match the right vessel is a complex task that requires advanced insights.
OptiPort improves dispatch operations to address the current economic and operational challenges facing the maritime industry.
It enhances efficiency by combining AIS data from nautical assets, weather and tide data, work and crewing schedules and port information to produce a tailored cost optimisation and minimisation model for users.
The result is unique scheduling software for real-time fact-based planning.
When integrated with Helm CONNECT Jobs, the dispatch and billing software for the harbour towage sector, the system offers operators a simplified order-to-invoice workflow and access to significant optimised cost savings.
Helm now also offers a new mobile app - Helm Portal - which allows local port agents to submit requests directly to towage operators, make changes to those requests, see live updates and receive notifications via a handheld device.
