CHARACTERIZING THE AIS DATA OF PORT TUGS IN THE PORT OF BARCELONA

Abstract

Tugs are an important part in port activity and navigational safety issues. Port tugs ensure the safety of large vessels while they are entering, maneuvering, mooring and unmooring, and are of huge importance during other port operations. They are also used for other important port functions and activities, such as fire protection and search and rescue operations. To achieve efficient tug operations, investigating the features of tug activities is of crucial importance. This study aims to characterize Automatic Identification System (AIS) data for further maneuver services identification and characteristics analysis of tug activities in harbor areas.

The AIS data from seven tugs in the port of Barcelona, Spain, in March 2023 were characterized for future identification of maneuvers. The finding of this research will help to improve the planning, timing, and assessment of tug services for docking and undocking vessels and evaluation of tug fleet operation. In this study, Speed Over Ground (SOG), Navigational Status of tugs (NS), ping frequency and data gap information on different variables are analyzed. Initial findings describe SOG ranging from 0-13 knots and a scattered use of the NS definition throughout the fleet. Ping frequency and data gaps are also initially described depending on the variable and the outcomes indicate that it relies on external factors such as the equipment used, technical issues, human factors and dense traffic etc.  Hence, investigating the attributes of tugboat operations can enhance the efficiency of tugboat fleets in port areas.