AUTOMATED MOORING
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As the number of large and super-large container vessels in service grows, port authories are scrambling to service these vast ships in ways that are safer and more profitable. Wider applicaon of automated technologies is increasingly being applied to mooring – an area that has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Ports that have introduced automated mooring are realising considerable operaonal and safety benefits. Automated mooring technology MoorMaster is being used in new applicaons helping container ports to opmise the management of mega-container vessels. Every year, ship and shore-side personnel sustain severe injuries, some of which are fatal, during convenonal mooring operaons. With convenonal mooring, the larger the vessel, the larger the number of mooring lines required to hold the vessel in posion. The more lines you have, the greater the risk of serious injury to personnel, and the greater the risk of damage to equipment. Using the technology can reduce the risk of mooring accidents as personnel are removed from hazardous working areas, and mooring lines are removed from the mooring process altogether. Vacuum-based automated mooring technology replaces the convenonal mooring lines. Remote-controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside or pontoons, moor and release vessels within 30 seconds. To date, the technology has performed more than 310,000 mooring operaons at applicaons worldwide including the ports of Beirut, Salalah and Ngqura. OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGE Using this technology can ensure that vessels – especially large ships – are moored with greater stability than is possible with convenonal line-based mooring, allowing port operators to more efficiently handle larger numbers of containers. MoorMaster accomplishes increased stability by reducing vessel moon from swell, surge and passing ships, allowing ports to maintain opmal container transfer rates. At the Port of Salalah, independent studies have shown that MoorMaster successfully reduced movement of large container vessels, which was especially prevalent during the annual monsoon or “Khareef” season, (June to September), from up to 2 metres to less than 0.05 metres. Prior to the introducon of MoorMaster, vessels surged along the berth during the Khareef season, which in turn required cranes to be reposioned alongside vessels, thereby reducing container transfer rates considerably. Following the success of a pilot applicaon at Salalah Port several years ago, the system has now been installed on 5 of the 6 berths, where MoorMaster units regularly moor container ships that are 400 metres in length and 19,600 Twenty- foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) capacity such as MSC Eloane. CONTAINER TRANSFER Reductions in operating costs are generated through reduced staffing costs, as mooring teams are not required. Savings are also created with reduced use of tugs and harbour pilots. Plus, allowing cargo operations to start earlier AUTOMATED MOORING FOR STABILIZING MEGASHIPS Mike Howie, Global MoorMaster System Specialist, Cavotec, UK WWW.PORTTECHNOLOGY.ORG 44 EDITION 75: AUTUMN 2017 MEGA-SHIP READY
Transcript of AUTOMATED MOORING
As the number of large and super-large container vessels in service grows, port authorities are scrambling to service these vast ships in ways that are safer and more profitable.
Wider application of automated technologies is increasingly being applied to mooring – an area that has remained unchanged for thousands of years.
Ports that have introduced automated mooring are realising considerable operational and safety benefits. Automated mooring technology MoorMaster is being used in new applications helping container ports to optimise the management of mega-container vessels.
Every year, ship and shore-side personnel sustain severe injuries, some of which are fatal, during conventional mooring operations. With conventional mooring, the larger the vessel, the larger the number of mooring lines required to hold the vessel in position. The more lines you have, the greater the risk of serious injury to personnel, and the greater the risk of damage to equipment.
Using the technology can reduce the risk of mooring accidents as personnel are
removed from hazardous working areas, and mooring lines are removed from the mooring process altogether.
Vacuum-based automated mooring technology replaces the conventional mooring lines. Remote-controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside or pontoons, moor and release vessels within 30 seconds.
To date, the technology has performed more than 310,000 mooring operations at applications worldwide including the ports of Beirut, Salalah and Ngqura.
OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGEUsing this technology can ensure that vessels – especially large ships – are moored with greater stability than is possible with conventional line-based mooring, allowing port operators to more efficiently handle larger numbers of containers.
MoorMaster accomplishes increased stability by reducing vessel motion from swell, surge and passing ships, allowing ports to maintain optimal container transfer rates. At the Port of Salalah, independent studies have shown that
MoorMaster successfully reduced movement of large container vessels, which was especially prevalent during the annual monsoon or “Khareef” season, (June to September), from up to 2 metres to less than 0.05 metres.
Prior to the introduction of MoorMaster, vessels surged along the berth during the Khareef season, which in turn required cranes to be repositioned alongside vessels, thereby reducing container transfer rates considerably.
Following the success of a pilot application at Salalah Port several years ago, the system has now been installed on 5 of the 6 berths, where MoorMaster units regularly moor container ships that are 400 metres in length and 19,600 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) capacity such as MSC Eloane.
CONTAINER TRANSFERReductions in operating costs are generated through reduced staffing costs, as mooring teams are not required. Savings are also created with reduced use of tugs and harbour pilots. Plus, allowing cargo operations to start earlier
AUTOMATED MOORING FOR STABILIZING MEGASHIPSMike Howie, Global MoorMaster System Specialist, Cavotec, UK
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after mooring is complete and finish sooner prior to departure, further boosts operational efficiency.
In many cases, the introduction of MoorMaster can pave the way for reduced infrastructure investment by improving pier utilization.
This enables closer vessel spacing; and quay length is also effectively extended as vessels that are moored with using the technology can have their bows overhanging the end of the quay. It can also potentially reduce breakwater extension requirements.
Ensuring container vessels remain in designated loading positions brings
with it the additional benefit of readying ports for wider automation projects, by enabling the full automation of ship-to-shore cranes. This can further improve the efficiency of container handling.
The technology’s operating system also includes real-time monitoring of mooring processes and forces, permitting improved productivity analysis.
LOWER EMISSIONSThere are also environmental advantages in using this type of automated mooring. Cavotec research has found reductions in emissions of more than 90% obtained through the use of MoorMaster during
ship berthing. The lowered emissions were due to the reduced use of tugs and ship engines for manoeuvring. Because MoorMaster units are programmed to hold vessels at set positions from and along the quay, emissions during container handling operations are also reduced, as vessels no longer need to move along the berth to maintain optimal loading positions.
As growing numbers of operators realise the safety, environmental and operational benefits of MoorMaster, the expectation is that this unique technology will improve container handling operations worldwide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Howie became involved with automated mooring technologies in 2003, in a design and development role, in which he spent considerable amounts of time in ports developing early MoorMaster prototypes. This included development of concepts for ship-to-ship and naval systems. The role evolved to encompass product development, frontline sales and market entry strategy development. Prior to joining Cavotec, Howie worked extensively in the wood processing industry, where he focused primarily on the automation of previously manual and hazardous tasks. He completed an executive MBA in 2011, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
Cavotec is a leading engineering group that designs and manufactures automated connection and electrification systems for ports, airports and industrial applications worldwide. Cavotec's innovative technologies ensure safe, efficient and sustainable operations. It continually innovates and develops technologies to ensure delivery of high levels of operational performance, safety, and sustainability that customers demand at all types of ports and terminals. The group is a global leader in automated mooring, shore power, crane electrification, and connection and charging systems.
Email: [email protected]@cavotec.comWebsite: www.cavotec.com
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