Port of Rotterdam plans autonomous floating fire extinguishers

The port of Rotterdam has conducted a market survey on the use of autonomous/remote-controlled floating firefighting equipment.

If the information received confirms that such vessels are a good option, this could lead to a tendering procedure. The Port of Rotterdam operates a fleet of patrol and civil protection vessels that are deployed by the Harbour Master's Office in day, half and full-time shifts to perform management, inspection and civil protection tasks. The fleet also includes hydrographic survey vessels and an operational vessel.

As part of the market survey, the port is asking operators for their views on the possibilities for autonomous/remotely operated floating firefighting equipment. Autonomous vessels would both reduce risk by keeping people out of harm's way and reduce costs as the required firefighting capacity, while involving complex vessels, is often limited. During the survey, the port will focus on the sailing characteristics, fire-fighting capabilities, foam proportioning system and equipment. The information obtained will be used to weigh up the options for autonomous firefighting in the future. In addition, the port of Rotterdam will use the market survey to draw up an inventory of interested companies for a research study and/or tendering process.

Source: swzmaritime / Buitendijk, photo: Quistnix (Wikimedia Commons).