Zero Emission autonomous thrusters

Tow-botic Systems is developing zero emission underwater robots (Towbots) to autonomously attach thrusters directly to the ship's hull upon arrival in port. The ship can then be controlled from the bridge by the Master or Pilot using a handheld device, or autonomously maneuvered to the desired wharf.

Benefits of our technology

Response time improved by 98% (Push to pull 2-3 secs) – Instantly applied thrust
Direct control of thrusters - No dependence on the tug captain, dynamic positioning possible either from the ship’s bridge or autonomously
Battery driven - Zero emissions, No fuel spillage risks
24-hour operation - Fewer operational headaches and no lost productivity, No drydocking
Safety - No crew injury during handling of towing lines, No tug girding
Eliminate inefficiencies – Tugs idle 50%-60% of operating time
Reduces operating cost by 50% per tug annually
Flexibility - Full thrust available in heavy seas, ship control inside narrow locks

Available autonomous thruster configurations

Optional sizes: 60 kw, 150 kw, 300 kw, 450 kw, 600 kw
Optional configurations: Non-azimuth thrusters for athwartship thrust only, 360 deg azimuth thrusters extend below keel, 360 deg deflector do not extend below keel for shallow water operations
Electric energy storage system: Sized as per specific port and project requirements

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Quick connect detachable thrusters

Easy to install portable thrusters for barges, pontoons, jack-ups, transhippers and shuttle vessels. Portable dynamic positioning system to convert a vessel at very short notice for offshore support and marine construction activities. The portable thrusters are able to reach to the keel of any vessel, irrespective of deep draft or high freeboard.

Benefits of our technology

Reduced mobilization & demobilization costs
Reduced operational time lost for conversion
Can be easily inspected and cleaned of propeller fouling by lifting out of the water
Lower maintenance cost by stowage on deck inside closed container when not in use
Lower capital cost by having fewer thruster equipment that can be quickly interchanged between barges
Power supply can be varied as per project requirements (barge power source or mobile sources such as diesel electric, electric and fuel cells to lower emissions)

Available detachable thruster configurations

Optional sizes: 60 kw, 150 kw, 300 kw, 450 kw, 600 kw
Optional configurations: Non-azimuth thrusters for athwartship thrust only, 360 deg azimuth thrusters extend below keel, 360 deg deflector do not extend below keel for shallow water operations
Mobile power source: Type and size as per specific project requirements

Energy efficient underwater magnets

Deep water magnetic attachments for subsea attaching and lifting operations. Specially designed permanent magnet arrays require no energy when attached. Suitable for divers to quickly attach to a work surface. Can be used for station keeping of ROVs during inspection & maintenance, saving energy while attached.

Benefits of our technology

Magnets can be easily attached together to create any shape/size/curvature depending on the task
Holding capability over a large air gap
Fenders enable gentle handling of painted surfaces
Feedback of holding force on the attach surface available
Untethered operations possible using power from onboard energy cells for ‘switch-on/off’

Available magnets

Holding force of each magnet: 0.5T, 1T and 2T (multiple magnets can be combined in any configuration)
Single power pack for all magnets or individual power pack for each magnet

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Launch and recovery

The detachable thruster can be launched from a ship, floating terminal or from shore.

Digital Twin Of Maritime Operations Using Discrete Event Simulations

Tow-botic Systems develops discrete event simulation models for optimization of port operations, predicting shipping emissions and operating costs in port and approaches. These models can be used as a digital twin of your port to run different scenarios and assess the impacts of planned changes.

Benefits of our technology

Identify bottlenecks and assist in optimum planning of the infrastructure
Visualize a process and explore the potential effects of modifications before actual implementation
Estimate shipping emissions in port and approaches at every instant, and plan an emission reduction strategy for your port
Determine the infrastructure upgrades that have a large impact on operating costs
Use live AIS data to continuously update vessel positions & re-run the simulations

Optimizing port operations

We have completed numerous port and shipping optimization projects. Our experience includes port master-planning, market demand assessments, equipment planning and utilization assessment, navigation channels, ship manoeuvring simulations, dredge optimization, estimation of capital and operating costs, risk assessments, recommending tariffs for project viability and due diligence for investment in marine projects.

We have also completed many coastal and transhipment solutions, selection of optimum vessel sizes, transportation cost assessment, planning & risk assessments for bulk handling ports and supply chain infrastructure from mine to port for various mines in Indonesia, Brazil, Mali, Mauritania and Guinea.

Our understanding of port operations as well as vessel operations gives us an added advantage when advising and recommending solutions specifically suited to your project constraints.

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Reefer Container Management

The “Container Assistant for Mates” app reduces the workload for reefer container management onboard. The app can import a Baplie, match settings from a reefer manifest, enter daily temperature reports, record repairs and manage reefer container spares inventories. Multiple users can collect reefer temperatures, and then combine all the user data into a single report.

The app also includes a feature to conduct a ship search/patrol or inspection verification using the NFC phone capability. The app can scan NFC tags placed at different locations on the vessel, and record the date and time of the inspection/patrol.

Download
Google Play link for phone app: Download For Android
Software for Windows PC: OneDrive Link
User manual and test files: OneDrive Link

Founder & CEO

Capt Gary Vaz

Gary is the founder of Tow-botic Systems. He is a maritime professional with 30 years of experience in the industry, as a Ship Captain and then, as a maritime consultant onshore. He has completed over a hundred marine strategic advisory projects which included port planning, discrete event simulations, mining logistics, cost modeling, risk assessments and nautical studies. He is fully involved in design of the various technologies.

Board Advisors

Daan Koornneef

Daan has many years of experience in the towage industry. He is the Managing Director/COO at Resolve Marine Group, and was earlier the Chief Executive Officer of Smit Lamnalco, and Managing Director at Lamnalco and SvitzerWijsmuller. He was also a Naval Officer in the Royal Netherlands Navy.

Arun Ramchandran

Arun has vast experience in implementing projects, building organizations, funding and strategic partnerships. He is the founder of Etsinta Advisory developing projects and providing transaction advisory from concept to commissioning in oil & gas, offshore, energy, EPC, fuels & shipping industries.

Paul Voorn

Paul is an independent legal advisor and business lawyer with over 25 years of experience in supporting technology entrepreneurs, corporate and operational business in various industries such as smart energy, clean tech, nanotech, drones, A.I, healthcare, industrial electronics and many others.

Our Partners

Port of Amsterdam has provided seed funds to kick-start the product development. Reach out if you would also like to partner in the development.

Energy Efficient Maritime Technologies

Our technologies