Analysis of the Mooring Effects of Future Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCV) on Port Infrastructures

Abstract

The size of container vessels is continuously growing, always exceeding expectations. Port authorities and terminals need to constantly adapt and face challenges related to maritime infrastructure, equipment, and operations, as these are the principal areas affected by the future Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). Maneuvring areas are at their limits, and mooring equipment is at an increased risk of being overloaded. This study aims to analyze the limitations that present mooring systems may face when ULCVs are subjected to wind and passing-ship forces exerted by a future ULCV and wind forces through Dynamic Mooring Analysis (DMA). A hypothetical and massive future ULCV with a capacity of 40,000 TEU is compared to the Emma Maersk, which is a present vessel that regularly calls at container terminals. The Emma Maersk, with its current mooring arrangement, experiences higher motion than future ULCVs, which experience higher forces but are also moored with more and stronger lines. This translates into considerably higher loads in the mooring system, potentially compromising safe mooring conditions at the terminal. Mitigating measures are proposed in the study to face these limitations. In addition, the study explores the potential of new and innovative mooring technologies, such as high-strength synthetic ropes and smart mooring systems, to address the challenges posed by ULCVs. A container terminal at the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest sea port, has been analyzed as a case study. The terminal is located next to a busy fairway that leads to other container terminals, justifying the need to analyze both wind and passing-ship effects on moored ships.