Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure, world leaders in providing critical solutions for maritime, port and built infrastructure, has successfully completed delivery of its SafeTug real-time positioning technology to the towage fleet operating in Port of Port Hedland, Western Australia. Following a successful trial, the units are now being installed across the 27-vessel fleet, in what represents the first large-scale adoption of SafeTug and forms part of Pilbara Ports broader initiative to enhance marine operations across the port. Dedicated trainers from Trelleborg’s Navigation and Piloting team delivered comprehensive training to ensure optimal use of SafeTug technology across the fleet.

Port of Port Hedland, recognized as the world’s largest iron ore bulk export terminal by volume, handles critical commodity flows that are vital to the Australian economy. The port operates with a single shipping channel for capesize bulk carriers, making operational precision and safety paramount to maintaining uninterrupted trade flows.

“SafeTug provides the precise coordination capabilities needed in constrained waterways where multiple vessels operate simultaneously,” said Tommy Mikkelsen, Managing Director for Navigation and Piloting division at Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure. “Port of Port Hedland’s operational environment, where continuous channel access is essential, demonstrates the technology’s application in high-stakes maritime operations.”

With the SafeTug solution deployed across all tug vessels, the port will have unprecedented real-time situational awareness during vessel movements. Trelleborg developed SafeTug to address limitations in traditional vessel tracking systems used during port maneuvers. The technology provides continuous real-time positional data for tugboats, eliminating the lag and delayed refresh rates that affect Automatic Identification Systems.

The software integrates with the SafePilot Cloud Server from Trelleborg and the SafePilot PPU systems used by pilots, creating a unified operational picture for all parties involved in vessel movements. This integration enables information sharing between assisted vessels and supporting tugs throughout port maneuvers.

SafeTug captures, displays and shares dynamic data that tug skippers need to perform their work more safely and efficiently. The system provides vessel speed and direction, rate of turn, trajectory, heading and course over ground. Tugboat masters and pilots can see the position and orientation of other tugs using the system, enabling coordinated decision-making during approach, berthing and departure operations.