Trelleborg SafeTug Achieves First Large-Scale Deployment at World's Largest Iron Ore Port

Trelleborg's SafeTug real-time positioning system achieved its first large-scale commercial deployment during December 17-19, 2025, digitizing the entire 27-vessel tug fleet at Port of Port Hedland in Western Australia—the world's largest iron ore export terminal handling over 500 million tonnes annually, where precise tug coordination during bulk carrier berthing directly impacts throughput capacity and safety in challenging tidal and weather conditions. The deployment demonstrates port support vessel digitalization extending maritime AI benefits beyond oceangoing vessels to critical harbor operations. Real-time positioning overcomes AIS limitations: Traditional AIS-based vessel tracking suffers from delayed refresh rates and positional lag that create dangerous information gaps during close-quarters tug operations where vessels maneuver within meters of each other and berth structures. SafeTug provides real-time positioning data including vessel speed, direction, rate of turn, RPM/pull force, heading, and position of other tugs—delivering the precise, current information tug masters require for safe and efficient ship handling during berthing operations where timing coordination is measured in seconds rather than minutes. Integration with pilot systems: The Port Hedland deployment integrates SafeTug with Trelleborg's SafePilot Cloud Server and SafePilot PPU (Portable Pilot Unit) systems, creating comprehensive digital infrastructure supporting both tug operators and ship pilots during complex port entry and berthing sequences. Marine pilots receive accurate real-time tug positions on their portable units, enabling precise coordination of tug commands while maintaining situational awareness of all assist vessels' positions and capabilities. This integration demonstrates how port digitalization requires coordinated technology deployment across multiple operational roles rather than isolated system implementations. Port Hedland operational context: Port Hedland's extreme operational demands make it an ideal validation environment for tug positioning technology. The port handles the world's largest bulk carriers including Valemax class vessels exceeding 400,000 DWT, operating in significant tidal ranges requiring precise timing of deep-draft vessel movements, with challenging weather conditions including tropical cyclones requiring rapid operational response. Successfully digitizing the entire tug fleet in this demanding environment validates SafeTug capabilities for less challenging port applications worldwide. Support vessel digitalization trend: The deployment reflects expanding maritime digitalization beyond cargo vessels into the support vessel ecosystem including tugs, pilot boats, and harbor craft whose operations directly impact port efficiency and safety. For port authorities and terminal operators, tug fleet digitalization improves berth utilization through optimized vessel handling, reduces incident risk from positioning errors, and generates operational data supporting continuous improvement. The 27-vessel deployment scale demonstrates commercial readiness for fleet-wide implementation rather than limited pilot testing, providing template for other major ports considering similar tug digitalization initiatives.
[Cyprus Shipping News]

This story is part of the Maritime AI Digest of 21 December 2025.

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