KOTUG acquires full ownership of MARSOL

KOTUG International B.V. has completed the 100% acquisition of Marsol International Ltd., a leading offshore and marine terminal service centre, specialized in offshore single point mooring (SPM) terminals and related infrastructure. The acquisition is a strategic addition to KOTUG’s portfolio in the worldwide offshore industry, and will strengthen KOTUG’s position in the maritime services industry in the Middle East. 

The core business of Marsol is integrity management based commercial and technical marine service solutions for SPM & offshore terminals. Over the years Marsol’s management has operated on 32 offshore marine terminals in more than 20 countries. Marsol’s operational headquarters are based in Dubai.

Ard-Jan Kooren, CEO KOTUG International: “Although we find ourselves in exceptionally challenging times, KOTUG is committed to continue to strengthen and expand her worldwide activities. The integration of Marsol services will allow us to enter the Middle East market and add substantial value to our broad portfolio of services to our global customers. I would like to thank Mike Young, founder and owner of Marsol, who has established a reputable company with high quality services to their clients, with a great team of skilled people.

Mike Young: “I am very pleased that the Marsol family will become part of the KOTUG global family. Over the last 15 years  Marsol has developed a well proven and recognized offshore service centre model and a sound track record with a knowledgeable and experienced team. I feel confident this acquisition opens the door for Marsol and its staff to participate extensively, through its value adding terminal Operations and Maintenance packages in KOTUG’s (new) business areas globally”.

The daily management of Marsol will be in the hands of Mr. Willem de Vries responsible for KOTUG’s Middle East office in Dubai.

Priority Towage

KOTUG OptiPort, the first dispatch tool for nautical service providers, using Artificial Intelligence, is fully data driven. One of the nice features we have developed over the last years, is the so-called Priority Towage functionality. This functionality allows your team to prioritize certain clients or vessel types over others.

This functionality is especially valuable when certain vessel types can under no circumstances be delayed due to (for instance) tidal restrictions. In such cases OptiPort can prioritize tidal restricted vessels over non tidal restricted vessels to make sure that there will be always capacity available for such vessels. The non-tidal restricted vessel will in such cases be delayed, outsourced depending on your company’s preferences.

The same could happen with some of your commercial relationships which under no circumstances be delayed or outsourced to a competing operator. The Priority Towage functionality will assure that these kind of commercial agreements will always be honored which results in satisfied clients and long lasting relationships.

Mail us for an explanation of all features at once or for an online demonstration, or in case you are already convinced, subscribe to our software!

Automatic Start – Stop Identification

KOTUG OptiPort, the first dispatch tool for nautical service providers, using Artificial Intelligence, is fully data driven. Its data and the artificial intelligence models are able to automatically detect the start and finish of a job.

If OptiPort has assigned a certain tug to a certain job, OptiPort will automatically recognize if a job has already started and/or finished. This feature reduces the required communication between dispatch and tugmaster, which improves safety onboard and creates more focus for all people involved.

Another interesting feature is that OptiPort is able to sent a notification to the planner in case a tug is still not started its mobilization to its assigned job. This helps to give the planner the required insight to understand if a tug is still able to mobilize to its assigned job at eco speed. The notification is a valuable add on to help your organization to save fuel on standard mobilizations

Mail us for an explanation of all features at once or for an online demonstration, or in case you are already convinced, subscribe to our software!

Notifications for Speed and Tug Departure Time

KOTUG OptiPort, the first dispatch tool for nautical service providers, using Artificial Intelligence, is fully data driven. Its data and the artificial intelligence models are able to send push notifications at cost related events.

OptiPort plans that a tug has to leave its actual position at a certain time to be able to sail to its assigned job at the most economical speed. Once OptiPort detects that a tug has not left its position on time, it will automatically send a notification, including the estimated additional cost, to the planner to help him better manage the dispatch process. In such event he/she will be able to contact the tug master to check what’s going on, and what should be done to arrive at the job in time.

The vessel speed notifications also contain the element of currents and tidal effects. OptiPort even plans departure times where the tug is able to take the optimal mobilization start, to ride a tide to the full extent if possible.

Mail us for an explanation of all features at once or for an online demonstration, or in case you are already convinced, subscribe to our software!

Ensuring Business Continuity at All Times

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OptiPort Dispatch Optimization

We find ourselves in uncertain times. First and foremost health of yourselves and your loved ones is priority number one. But times like these also require looking at new ways to ensure business continuity at all times. The OptiPort Dispatch Optimization solution is one of the products of PortX. It is the first data-driven planning solution for nautical service providers’ vessel operations, entirely based on Artificial Intelligence and AIS data signals. The application provides direct access to your dispatchers, regardless of where they are, by presenting the most optimal schedule taking all operational constraints into consideration, via a dashboard. This way remote or centralised dispatching is possible, ensuring business continuity at all time.

OptiPort helps to get the most value out of your existing fleet, without the installation of any additional hardware on your fleet.

Visit our website to find out more about what OptiPort can mean for your operations. You will also find an interview with experience expert Shaun Thomas, COO of  Westug, that started working with the planning tool at the beginning of September 2019 when they commenced their operations for Fortescue Metals Group in Port Hedland.

www.optiportonline.com, or plan an online meeting with Vincent van Os for a demo: vincent@optiportonline.com

For now, please take care and stay safe!

Team PortX

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Minimising Vessel Delays

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OptiPort Features # 5
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OptiPort, the first dispatch tool for nautical service providers, using Artificial Intelligence, is fully data driven. Its data and the artificial intelligence models are applied to dynamically calculate if the start time of a job is still feasible or not.

There are a lot of ways to avoid delaying a vessel from departing or arriving, the only way to really justify a delay is simply because a lack of proper equipment to do the job. Before getting there, OptiPort checks if there are no other cost-effective solutions to avoid this delay, as there are more variables to play with in a real-life environment.

Speeding up mobilizing tugs is one of them, or mobilizing a tug from a remote location is another one. However, all of these alternatives have their effect on operational cost, as speeding increases fuel burn and sailing from remote locations even at eco speed will also have its impact on operational cost.

OptiPort has the functionality to make a deliberate decision between delaying a vessel at a certain virtual cost, versus sailing at high speed to try to be able at a job on time. OptiPort also has the possibility to have “priority vessels”, this functionality is very useful when certain types of vessels (like tidal restricted vessels) can under no circumstances be delayed. In such events OptiPort will always select the preferred vessel over a vessel which is not prioritized

OptiPort helps to optimally use the available tugs in a fleet. However, it can always happen that supply exceeds demand. In such cases OptiPort will notify the dispatcher with the expected delay on the next job. This allows the dispatcher to take the necessary measures to either limit the delay or notify the vessel agent/captain/pilot that they will be served at a slightly later moment.

Follow us to learn about the other features, or mail us for an explanation of all features at once or for an online demonstration, or in case you are already convinced, subscribe to our software!

OptiPort, Dispatching made Easy!

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OptiPort, the first dispatch tool for nautical service providers, using Artificial Intelligence, is fully data driven. Its data and the artificial intelligence models are applied to dynamically calculate if the start time of a job is still feasible or not.

There are a lot of ways to avoid delaying a vessel from departing or arriving, the only way to really justify a delay is simply because a lack of proper equipment to do the job. Before getting there, OptiPort checks if there are no other cost-effective solutions to avoid this delay, as there are more variables to play with in a real-life environment.

Speeding up mobilizing tugs is one of them, or mobilizing a tug from a remote location is another one. However, all of these alternatives have their effect on operational cost, as speeding increases fuel burn and sailing from remote locations even at eco speed will also have its impact on operational cost.

OptiPort has the functionality to make a deliberate decision between delaying a vessel at a certain virtual cost, versus sailing at high speed to try to be able at a job on time. OptiPort also has the possibility to have “priority vessels”, this functionality is very useful when certain types of vessels (like tidal restricted vessels) can under no circumstances be delayed. In such events OptiPort will always select the preferred vessel over a vessel which is not prioritized

OptiPort helps to optimally use the available tugs in a fleet. However, it can always happen that supply exceeds demand. In such cases OptiPort will notify the dispatcher with the expected delay on the next job. This allows the dispatcher to take the necessary measures to either limit the delay or notify the vessel agent/captain/pilot that they will be served at a slightly later moment.

Mail us for an explanation of all features at once or for an online demonstration, or in case you are already convinced, subscribe to our software!

Dynamic Start Times of Incoming Jobs

KOTUG OptiPort, the first dispatch tool for nautical service providers, using Artificial Intelligence, is fully data driven. Its data and the artificial intelligence models are applied to dynamically calculate the start time of incoming jobs at the calculated pickup location.

Once OptiPort knows which of your client’s vessels are inbound, OptiPort starts to track that vessel and forecasts if the given ETA will be viable or not. To be able to calculate the estimated ETA, OptiPort uses a proprietary and dynamic algorithm which is able to forecast the arrival time at the pickup point in real time with a high level of accuracy.

This functionality allows for tighter scheduling and better use of your tugs, while serving you clients like you have always done.

Dynamic Pickup & Dropoff Locations

Knowing where and when a vessel needs to be picked up, or dropped off by a tug is heavily dependent on vessel size, draft and cargo. Unfortunately, the reality is that no-one knows exactly where these locations are, which makes it hard to exactly know when a tug will start or when it will have finished its job and when/where it will be available for its next assignment. Creating an efficient planning of the available tugs without this knowledge, especially on in the scenario of a very busy day, soon becomes a best guess instead of a fact based event.

OptiPort, the first dispatch tool for nautical service providers, using Artificial Intelligence, is fully data driven, and contains exactly the above mentioned data; vessel size, draft and cargo, and thus exact pick up and drop off locations are known well in advance. The result? OptiPort plans the tugs in the most efficient way, reduces human errors and optimizes the use of your available equipment.

Mail us for an explanation of all features at once or for an online demonstration, or in case you are already convinced, subscribe to our software!

COVID-19: We’re in this together

Given the current situation regarding the COVID-19 virus, we want to inform our clients, partners, and stakeholders as follows: at KOTUG, the health and safety of our colleagues, our clients, and business relations are our biggest and primary concern.

We follow the guidelines issued by (local) governments, use common sense and stay in close contact with our stakeholders to minimize the impact where possible together. We monitor the situation closely in all areas where we operate. We realize that we are part of large supply chains, as we have been for over 100 years, and we continue to dedicate ourselves to supporting our client’s business in this period of uncertainty, in close consultation with all parties involved. We’re in this together. We will inform all stakeholders directly upon changes in this status quo.

Forecasting the Duration of Jobs and (de)mobilization

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OptiPort Features # 2
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OptiPort, the first dispatch tool for nautical service providers, using Artificial Intelligence, is fully data driven. Its data and the artificial intelligence models are applied to calculate the best possible job duration forecast for a specific voyage.

With OptiPort’s dynamic pickup/drop off locations, the application knows exactly what route to be sailed and perfectly estimates the duration of that job. This estimation is based on a large number of variables, like vessel type, dimensions, berth, vessel orientation at berth and weather influences. As OptiPort will never underestimate the role of the human planner, he or she will always have the possibility to overrule the dispatch advice given by OptiPort by simply extending or shortening the specific job or assign the job to another tug when needed.

The result is a fact based job duration forecast per individual tug with an accuracy of 97% of the jobs in a 15 minute time window. This accuracy is an excellent starting point for a detailed, crisp and tight schedule whereby tugs are being deployed in the most optimal way, reducing human failure and improving your competitive position.

Follow us to learn about the other features, or mail us for an explanation of all features at once or for an online demonstration, or in case you are already convinced, subscribe to our software!

OptiPort, Dispatching made Easy!

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KOTUG OptiPort, the first dispatch tool for nautical service providers, using Artificial Intelligence, is fully data driven. Its data and the artificial intelligence models are applied to calculate the best possible job duration forecast for a specific voyage.

With OptiPort’s dynamic pickup/drop off locations, the application knows exactly what route to be sailed and perfectly estimates the duration of that job. This estimation is based on a large number of variables, like vessel type, dimensions, berth, vessel orientation at berth and weather influences. As OptiPort will never underestimate the role of the human planner, he or she will always have the possibility to overrule the dispatch advice given by OptiPort by simply extending or shortening the specific job or assign the job to another tug when needed.

The result is a fact based job duration forecast per individual tug with an accuracy of 97% of the jobs in a 15 minute time window. This accuracy is an excellent starting point for a detailed, crisp and tight schedule whereby tugs are being deployed in the most optimal way, reducing human failure and improving your competitive position.

Mail us for an explanation of all features at once or for an online demonstration, or in case you are already convinced, subscribe to our software!