Kotug demonstrated the sailing of the first remote controlled tug over a long distance today.
RT Borkum was controlled from Marseille, France, while the vessel was sailing in Rotterdam.
A Kotug captain controlled the tug via a remote secured internet line and camera images.
The project is a joint effort by Rotortug, Alphatron, Veth, OnBoard, M2M Blue and Kotug.
The real time sensor technology makes it possible to give the remote-control captain the situational awareness that is needed for safe operation.
Combined with the drone technology to connect the towline, unmanned shipping is commercially and technically getting closer, according to Kotug.
Unmanned shipping does not yet comply with current rules and regulations. Therefore, rules need to be amended before tugs can actually start doing their tasks fully autonomously.