On April 5, 2024, two fully rotating intelligent tugboats, "Jingang Ship 36" and "Jingang Ship 37", built by Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd. for Tianjin Port Shipyard Company, were completed and shipped smoothly.
The two new intelligent tugboats have a length of 34.6 meters, a width of 11.2 meters, a depth of 5.22 meters, a designed draft of 3.92 meters, and a designed speed of 12.5 knots. They will gather numerous intelligent achievements such as intelligent navigation, intelligent engine room, intelligent energy efficiency, and intelligent integration platform. Among them, the unique autonomous navigation function of "Tianjin Port Ship 36" is also undertaking the sacred mission of the Ministry of Science and Technology's national key special project "Intelligent Technology and Testing and Verification Research on Autonomous Navigation of Tugs".
The Tianjin Port Ship 36 is the first research cooperation project implemented by the governments of China and Finland since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between China and Finland in Intelligent Ship and Intelligent Port Technology. This project can promote the in-depth research and widespread application of intelligent technology on a larger scale, lead the development of a new generation of intelligent tugboat technology, further improve the safety and effectiveness of ships and ports, and open the way for unmanned driving of fully rotating tugboats in China.
According to the plan, Tianjin Port Ship and Barge Company will, in strict accordance with the requirements of the latest Intelligent Ship Code, more actively explore the application and implementation of independent navigation technology on "Tianjin Port Ship 36", create a new generation of intelligent tug models, play an active role in leading the intelligent development of the industry, helping the improvement of the port's marine service level, pave the blueprint for the development of port's coastal technology innovation with boldness and courage, and actively respond to the call of "the country deeply implements the innovation driven development strategy, and speeds up the construction of a scientific and technological power" for Tianjin Port, striving to become a pioneer in building a Chinese path to modernization port.