Can we have your vote? KOTUG shortlisted for ITS Tugowner of the Year election
Awesome!
We are shortlisted for the ITS award ‘Tugowner of 2021’, together with four other great names in the industry. Innovation is -and always has been- in our DNA. Therefore, we are proud to be nominated for developing an electric-powered pusher tug series, our smart dispatch technology and reaching a new milestone in autonomous vessel navigation. All sustainable innovations that strengthen our existing wide range of towage and maritime services.
Will you vote for us? Click here!
Electric E-Pusher 
Autonomous sailing 
Dispatch planning – KOTUG OptiPort
Osman Munir promoted to Vice President of KOTUG
The supervisory board of KOTUG is pleased to announce that Mr. Osman Munir, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of the KOTUG Group of Companies (KOTUG), has been promoted to Vice President of the Group as of the 1st of September 2021.
In his new role as Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Osman Munir will continue to take a global perspective on strategy and market opportunities and lead strategic planning processes. In addition, he will keep working alongside Ard-Jan Kooren, the President and CEO, outlining and executing the company’s long-term strategy.
Osman has been working at KOTUG since June 2007. During his fourteen (14) years with KOTUG, he has built an impressive resume. Having started as Group Controller and later as Manager Project Department, he rose through the ranks to become Director Business Development, Terminals & JVC (Joint Venture Companies) of KOTUG. As of the 1st of January 2017, Osman joined the KOTUG Board as CCO.
We congratulate Osman and look forward to further developing our fast-growing company to the next level in this everchanging world.
First copy of the fourth edition of ‘Tug Use in Port. A practical Guide’ offered to Ard-Jan Kooren (KOTUG)
Today, author Captain Henk Hensen offered the fourth and fully revised edition to Ard-Jan Kooren, President & CEO of KOTUG International on deck of KOTUG’s training vessel the RT Borkum. The book is considered to be the authoritative guide for everyone who sails a tug since it is a full reference book aimed to increase practical knowledge and safety of operations.
`Tug Use in Port’ focuses on the need for highly trained and educated tug masters and crews, especially in this era of increased technology and environmental requirements. “Training is more important than ever”, says Captain Henk Hensen. “Training is not just a matter of how to do the job, it is also important to understand why. To achieve that, theory is indispensable”. For that reason the book is of great importance also for pilots, ship masters and all others involved in ship handling with tugs.
The IMO also mentioned ‘Tug Use in Port’ to be an authoritative guide on tug operations. It addresses present and future developments, demonstrates how training could be carried out, what should be trained, where the risks are and why. It explains the various tug types, capabilities and limitations, towing equipment and much more. In addition to earlier editions, the fourth edition also discusses decision support systems on board tugs, full electric tugs, tug operations in swell, stopping a ship by tugs, new escort and carrousel tugs, and assisting navy ships.
RT Borkum
Not by chance the small ceremony took place on KOTUG’s RT Borkum, the high-end training vessel of the KOTUG Training & Consultancy division. One chapter of the book is dedicated to autonomous sailing and the RT Borkum was the first harbour tug that could actually sail autonomously, which makes the vessel an ideal location for the ceremony.
Tug Use in Port. A Practical Guide, 4th edition can be ordered at: https://stc-publishing.nl
KOTUG says farewell to Margo Kok-Van der Wal as CFO/VP
After forty years of service, a multitude of accomplishments and having a defining role in the family-owned company, KOTUG bids farewell to Margo Kok-Van der Wal as CFO/Vice President.
Passion, dedication and expertise are words that characterise Margo, but above all her signature is visible when it comes to connection. Margo has always made an effort to keep the rich heritage alive in the organization. She safeguarded knowledge, expertise and culture, in a way that the current generation of Kotuggers, but also the ones to come, can continue to work together in the spirit of this heritage.
After her appointment as Financial Assistant in 1982, Margo became Financial Director in 1996 and continued her career as CFO/Vice President as of 2002. The foundation of KOTUG International B.V., numerous mergers, acquisitions and divestments were executed under her financial leadership.
Margo steps back as CFO/Vice President as of September 1st 2021. This means she is handing over her day-to-day activities to Ard-Jan Kooren and Osman Munir. Margo will however, remain active for the Kooren family as advisor, and as a member of the board of the Kooren Foundation. Her official retirement will start on May 1st, 2022 at which date she will conclude 40 years with the company!
We thank Margo for her commitment, hard work and inspiration.
Please join us in wishing Margo a safe journey of life for the future.
‘De Verbinding (The Connection) that was handed over to Margo during the farewell party last Friday.
KOTUG AUSTRALIA TO OBTAIN FULL MANAGEMENT OF TOWAGE OPERATIONS IN PORT HEDLAND
KOTUG Australia Pty Ltd (KOTUG) and WESTUG PTY Ltd (Westug) have successfully concluded an agreement to re-shape the towage services for Pilbara Marine, a subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) in Port Hedland. The service includes the operation of nine state of the art Rotortugs at Port Hedland, which have been servicing Fortescue and other port users since the commencement of operations in 2019.
After almost three years of working together to successfully establish the towage service for Fortescue in Port Hedland, Westug and KOTUG have mutually and amicably agreed to exit their agreement as of August 1st, 2021 with regard to this operation.
The boards of both companies agreed that Fortescue’s Port Hedland towage business will benefit from having a single party managing operations, and believe that a single contractor delivery model will have a positive impact on the management of operations and overall responsiveness to the end client.
KOTUG will retain its existing Head Agreement with Pilbara Marine, requiring the company to supply tugs and have overall responsibility for the delivery of Port Hedland towage services. The operation of the towage services was previously sub-contracted to Westug, however, KOTUG will assume control upon Westug exiting the business and will directly manage the towage operation at Port Hedland. All existing Westug personnel will be transferred across to KOTUG as part of this agreement.
KOTUG’s CEO Ard-Jan Kooren stated; “KOTUG is fully committed to Pilbara Marine and Fortescue, we now look forward to focusing on working to fully optimise our Port Hedland towage operations and working in partnership with our valued client, Pilbara Marine. We thank Westug for their cooperation over the years. With our tugs, motivated back office team, shore support staff and crew partnerships, we look forward to taking the Port Hedland towage business to the next level.”
Westug CEO Mark Malone: “We are proud of the work our team has done to build the operation in Port Hedland, but the intensity of the operational requirements to keep such a busy port serviced to the required level is best served by a single towage operator. Despite our best efforts, having two parties sharing responsibility proved to be too much of a challenge. We wish KOTUG well in servicing Fortescue, and leave the operation with strong relationships and our focus squarely on other growth opportunities in the Australian market.”
Electric powered tugs for the inland shipping industry
Game-changing vessel design
KOTUG developed electric powered pusher tugs for the inland water transportation industry. The tugs can be equipped with smart AI-driven dispatch and route planning applications. With these logistics solutions, KOTUG aims to support the worldwide energy transition and the modal shift from road transport to waterways while meeting the growing demand for electric-powered vessels.
The set-up of the inland shipping activities results from developing a range of modular and scalable electric pusher tugs, the E-Pusher™ Series, powered by swappable energy containers. The E-Pusher™ Series currently has three models ranging from 5,5 to 22 meters in length and a maximum depth of 0,45 to 1,35 meters resulting in a draft that is 30% less than conventional pusher tug designs.
Due to the modular approach and lean assembly method, KOTUG reduced the construction time by more than 25% compared to traditional vessels. Together with her partners, KOTUG developed various energy containers ranging from Stage V diesel, (Bio)gas and Hydrogen to battery solutions.
For smart operations, KOTUG will use OptiPort, its advanced dispatching, route and reporting tool. KOTUG OptiPort is an automated dispatching system based on historical and real-time information bridging port and terminal information with ship operations. The tool supports fleet owners in optimizing expected departure- and arrival times, routing and speed control, leading to reduced energy usage and just-in-time departure and arrival. The system is active since 2017 and is currently in use by vessel operators in Australia, Japan, the United States, Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands.
With KOTUG CityBarge B.V., KOTUG recently started activities in the municipality of Leiden with a 5,5 meter E-Pusher™ providing a zero-emission alternative for heavy truck transport in inner-cities. KOTUG CityBarge BV. is a partnership of KOTUG with Circle Line Logistics B.V., aiming to make cities more liveable by restoring existing inner-city waterways by using them to transport garbage, construction materials and retail products.
“The inland shipping market offers a great opportunity for sustainable logistical solutions”, says Ard-Jan Kooren, CEO of KOTUG International B.V. “As an innovative company we have created ready-to-market products for the inland shipping industry by combining our technical expertise of ship design and digitization of the marine industry. The start with activities for the inland shipping market is a natural development and a step forward in our ambition to be part of the solution of the transition towards a zero-emission maritime industry.”
Regional Inland Shipping Minister, Jeannette Baljeu: ”The Province of South Holland is involved since the start of the project around reinstating waterways as a means of transport, with the development of the CityBarge (the smallest version of the e-Pusher). Clean transport is one of our priorities. By bringing together business and government to solve mutual challenges, solutions like the E-Pusher™ are no longer just paper ideas but market-ready products. I strongly believe in the E-Pusher™ concept; it improves the liveability in cities and boosts the growth of tech industries in the Province of South Holland and beyond.“
KOTUG Training & Consultancy signs MoU with AMC Search
KOTUG Training & Consultancy, the training and consultancy division of KOTUG – and AMC Search, the training and consultancy division of the Australian Maritime College (AMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a long-term strategic partnership. The MoU encompasses exclusive training of (tug) Masters, ships crews and Pilots in Australia by certified KOTUG trainers at AMC’s training facilities in Tasmania
Facing an increasing demand for qualified maritime professionals, AMC Search is seeking ways to increase its capabilities whilst maintaining its best-in-class training, for which the organisation is renowned. KOTUG fulfills this requirement by offering first-class trainers and training materials. As the only ISO 9001 certified tug training company in the world, KOTUG Training & Consultancy sets high standards for the training facilities it uses. With its training and consultancy division, KOTUG aims to create safe and sound operations with respect for the environment and an excellent level of training and competence while safeguarding the well-being of everyone involved. With a fully equipped and exclusive Maritime Simulation Centre in Tasmania, and operating with similar corporate values, these standards are perfectly met by AMC Search.
Joint Pilot Tug Master training is requested more and more by various ports and terminals in the world to increase port safety and efficiency; therefore, effective and efficient teamwork between Pilot and Tug Masters is one of the key training programmes to be delivered by KOTUG at the AMC Centre for Maritime Simulations in Tasmania.
Patrick Everts, General Manager of KOTUG Training & Consultancy: “We are extremely happy with this strategic partnership. Australia is one of the key growth markets and with its modern facilities, AMC Search meets our high standards for training facilities. Our training method consists of three components, classroom and simulator training at state-of-the-art simulators, and onboard training. It is a proven didactic method for the best training results, preparing the students for expected and unexpected real-life situations. We are looking forward to starting our training and providing students with our highly regarded KOTUG Training Certificate, ensuring more safety and efficiency to the maritime industry”.
Dean Cook, CEO of AMC Search: “AMC Search is thrilled to be partnering with the training & consultancy division of KOTUG, an organisation that has delivered services to the maritime industry for over 100 years. The signing of the MoU will lead to a commercial partnership where Australian tugboat and port operators will have access to training services that will be delivered by world-class trainers in state-of-the-art simulators. With limited availability of tugboat simulation training capability in Australia, we look forward to working with KOTUG Training & Consultancy to help the sector access the training it needs to maintain safety and improve efficiencies.”
KOTUG SAFETY APPLICATION
KOTUG Safety Application
July 7, 2021
RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS IN REAL TIME
KEY FEATURES:
Client: All
Location: Global
Period: Ongoing
KEYWORDS: HSEQ, Intelligence
PROJECT
Global HSEQ improvement project involving all vessels.
SITUATION
Part of the scope of work on any vessel today, but especially within the Offshore industry, is paperwork. Instructions, checklists and permits which ensure the operation is done taking into account all possible hazards whilst working in a challenging environment.
APPROACH
By use of the KOTUG Safety Application [based on Capptions® platform], HSEQ reporting is changed from a linear paper approach to a digital adaptive approach. Reporting stops being a compulsory “check-in-the-box” and becomes a support in active safety behaviour for crew. The application assists in identifying hazards, in ensuring mitigating measures are taken and reporting more efficiently and effectively.
OPERATION
All vessels have been equipped with laptops and handheld devices which can be used all over the vessel. This will allow checking, completing, reporting on the spot instead of behind a desk. In the office real-time information is received in a dashboard, giving direct insight in HSEQ events taking place globally. This allows our teams to deliver direct support whenever and wherever needed.
SAFEEN PILOT AND TUGMASTER UPGRADE
KEY FEATURES:
Client: Abu Dhabi Ports
Location: Abu Dhabi
Period: December 2018 – January 2019
PROJECT
In Q3 – 2018 KOTUG was awarded the contract for upgrading Pilots and Tug Captains sailing for Safeen in the port of Khalifa and Mina Zayed.
SITUATION
The upgrade of the Pilots and Tug Captains was requested by Safeen upon the first arrival of a deep draught cape sized bulker for the Emal Jetty which are handling different to the vessels entering the port previously.
APPROACH
In our tailormade course we provided, the emphasis was put on:
- Centre lead operations with ASD tugs.
- Ship/Tug interactions.
- Line lengths and line forces.
- Forces, Vectors and Turning moments.
- Pivot point and the influences on tug operations.
- Bollard Pull Calculation.
- Vessel handling.
- Bridge Team management.
- Risk Management.
- Tug Limitations and Hazard mitigation.
OPERATION
Our trainers provided on board and on the job training, also we showed an trained the necessity to the cooperation between Pilots and Tug masters.Download Case Study
RAISING STANDARDS THROUGH SHARED AWARENESS
Day of the Seafarer 2021
Message from Ard-Jan Kooren
25th June each year is the IMO Day of the Seafarer, recognizing the invaluable contribution seafarers make to international trade and the world economy. A message from our CEO Ard-Jan Kooren to support IMO’s call for a #FairFuture4Seafarers
“The weekends are the hardest. Life has pretty much been picked up at home, and on Saturdays and Sundays my friends and family go out and about to enjoy themselves. I am happy for them, but it makes me realize even more that we’re stuck here. Still though, I wouldn’t change my job in a million years.”
“This quote from Patrick Klooster in an interview last year touched me,” says Ard-Jan Kooren, CEO of KOTUG International. “Patrick is one of our captains who was stuck on his vessel for more than four months due to COVID-19 restrictions. It is an exemplary story for thousands of seafarers around the globe. The uncertainty of repatriation, the disappointment of another failed attempt to get on a plane, being so far away from home, and yet still having that passion for your profession. That sparkle. That’s the spirit of seafarers I’ve seen during my entire career of 31 years.”
Seafarers on priority list vaccinations
“Last year the Day of the Seafarer focused its message around urging governments to recognize seafarers as key workers. Important steps were made, and seafarers are included in the priority list for vaccination in many countries. We are grateful that in a growing number of countries the COVID-19 vaccination program for seafarers has started. It is good to see that our joint efforts to convince governments about this do make a difference! On the other hand, we all know that the pandemic will not be over anywhere until it is over everywhere, and that means getting vaccines to every country as soon as possible. I see this as a shared responsibility, and therefore the Kooren Foundation decided to donate for the supply of vaccinations to countries in need.”
It ain’t over till it’s over
“Still, it ain’t over till it’s over” continues Ard-Jan Kooren, “and we support the IMO in their continued effort to encourage governments to support seafarers amid the pandemic while also calling for a fair future for seafarers. As stated by the IMO, there are still issues that will be relevant to seafarers after the pandemic, such as fair treatment of seafarers, fair working conditions, fair training, fair safety, gender equality etc. Seafarers are a vital part in the world’s logistic supply chain, therefore we fully support the yearly Day of the Seafarer and invite others to also join the movement by sharing IMO’s hashtag #FairFuture4Seafarers.”
