Mooring System for Very Large Ships at Berth

Abstract

Sea water transport is the most economical mode of transport. More than 85% of bulk and liquid cargo is handled by the sea transport. Ships require safe berthing facilities for their loading/unloading operations. Safe mooring system restricts the ship movements due to environmental forces like waves, winds and currents. Ship should not exert large forces on berthing structure, for which fenders are provided at berthing face to absorb the shocks. With the development of special cargo handling terminals for bulk and liquid cargo, which cater for large ships, the mooring systems have also undergone large changes. In order to keep pace with modern marine transport trends the Indian Ports are also developing terminal facilities and mooring systems for large vessels. A study was undertaken to design a mooring system for a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) for an Indian Port. A conceptual design for a marine oil terminal (MOT) including mooring system for a large oil tanker has been evolved. The studies reveal that the velocity and direction of currents are dominant in deciding orientation of MOT. A dolphin type marine oil terminal with four breasting dolphins and six mooring dolphins was found suitable for a VLCC of 300000 DWT.