Port Engineering Studies

Ports in general are experiencing an increase in the size of arriving vessels, and the Swedish Transport Agency (STA) used to approve such vessels on the basis of more or less subjective evidence. With the increasing level of realism provided by marine simulation tools, it was time to look at the approval process – could it be based on more objective input?

In 2006, FORCE Technology carried out the first of a long series of simulation studies aimed at providing the basis for decisions before e.g. approving larger vessels into existing Swedish ports. At the same time, STA (formerly Swedish Safety Inspectorate) was working on a set of new fairway recommendations in which it was stated that the ports should provide evidence that it was safe to bring in larger vessels as part of the approval process – and the recommendations stated that simulation could be used to provide this evidence.

FORCE Technology was at that time asked to join the Aids to Navigation Management Committee at IALA (The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities). The organisation was launching a project on establishing a guideline on how to use simulators for waterway design and placement of aids to navigation.

IALA Guideline 1058 was produced by the end of 2007 after a very fruitful cooperation between STA, a number of other authorities and FORCE Technology. The outset was the Swedish fairway recommendations and FORCE Technology’s philosophy on how to use simulators for port and waterway studies. This philosophy included views on how and when to use the various simulation tools from desktop to fullmission simulators, demands on the participants of a study, requirements for reporting and taking the human element into consideration when selecting the appropriate simulation tools. One of the basic principles in IALA Guideline 1058 is that desktop simulators can be used for initial feasibility studies, but for a validation of a final lay-out of a fairway or port operation, full-mission simulation must be used with participation of relevant mariners (pilots, captains, tug masters) and representatives from relevant authorities with knowledge of the operation must attend.

“We see simulation as a very important tool with growing possibilities. Today’s level and increase in realism in simulation is providing a valid, detailed and objective platform for decision making. The results clearly indicate the implications, consequences and necessary steps to be taken to ensure a given level of safety when new and larger vessels arrive at a given port. This requires not only very realistic simulators with realistic models but also a competent and experienced institute to take care of the simulations and the dissemination of results” says Pernilla Bergstedt, Head of Ship Operational Unit, Swedish Transport Agency.

During recent years, FORCE Technology has been assisting the Swedish ports in ensuring safety and efficiency. The results of the studies can be summarised to include determination or description of:

•  Operational limits for arrival and departure for specific vessels
• Recommendations for approach and manoeuvring for specific vessels in specific ports
• Maximum size of vessels operating in a given port
• Fairway lay-out, width and depth 
• Placement and size of turning basins 
• Necessary space at specific berths for specific vessels 
• Need for escort and/or harbour tugs in terms of type, size, number and bollard pull 
• Placement of aids to navigation including test of synchronised or sequenced lights in a channel 
• Training of pilots and tug masters in Shiphandling and Human Factors 
• Input to operational regulations, Standard Operational Procedures, towing manuals etc. 
• Input to assessment of risk of grounding and collision

With close to 50 years of experience in comprehensive manoeuvring and simulation studies, FORCE Technology conducts around 30 port studies in our simulation facilities every year. The studies are conducted in order to ensure safe and efficient navigation of different types of vessels in existing or planned port facilities.

With today’s technology and our competencies within mathematical modelling, FORCE Technology is able to make very precise and realistic simulations of the effect in practice of a given change on vessels and facilities. By using simulation, you get certainty concerning the sustainability of your decisions.

At the same time, you save resources by gaining knowledge on how to do the port modelling right the first time.

FORCE Technology’s Division for Maritime Industry (DMI) has a very long record of engineering studies and optimisation of port designs carried out for clients worldwide. Our mathematical ship and port models are recognised as being extremely realistic which is a prerequisite for accurate simulation.

Simulation offers a very cost-effective approach during the evaluation of the port layout as well as when placing navigational aids.

FORCE Technology has developed a wide range of simulators from desktop versions to full-mission 360° field of view bridges.

The core of the simulators, the SimFlex Navigator simulation software, is, however, the same. The simulators are based on the same mathematical model, making it possible to go from one platform to another without major changes.

In short, FORCE Technology offers realistic training and knowledge about your port facility or terminal before it is built. This provides assurance and certainty about all implications of your project in advance.

Fact sheet:

FORCE Technology has carried out studies for these Swedish ports over the last 5 years

• Norrköping 
• Oxelösund
• Göteborg 
• Karlstad 
• Strömstad
• Malmö
• Trelleborg
• Ystad
• Oskarshamn
• Västervik
• Södertälje
• Stockholm
• Piteå
• Husum
• Karlsborg

At our Division for Maritime Industry, we offer our customers extensive services and expertise within aerodynamic and hydrodynamic model testing, numerical fluid mechanics and computer-based simulations.

Our competencies within simulations are based on combining our hydrodynamic and aerodynamic facilities and know-how with state-of-the-art graphical simulation in our four full-mission simulators and three part-task training simulators, all with real bridge equipment.

Using simulators, FORCE Technology can assist you with:

• Placement of navigational aids 
• Evaluation of breakwater layout and alignment including width and alignment of approach channels 
• Evaluation of arrival/departure conditions for existing or new port facilities 
• Ship motions in both frequency and time domains giving accurate assessments of e.g. risk of grounding
• Ship motions of moored vessels along an open or a closed structure 
• Controllability of vessels at limited water depth 
• Operational guidelines including determination of tug assistance 
• Risk analysis

By Peter K. Sørenson, Head of Department Training, Ports and Human Factors