Abstract
Seaport operability is key to the economic viability of ports. Metocean conditions (e.g., wind, short waves, and infragravity waves) affect this operability when certain thresholds are exceeded. This paper describes a method for the global mapping of seaport operability risk indicators using open-source metocean data. This global-scale assessment provides a geographic overview of operability risks and first-order insights into the most relevant metocean risk indicators at each location. The results show that locations around the equator and inland seas have lower operability risk than locations farther away from the equator. “Hotspots” are mainly located along the southern capes (Cape of Good Hope, Leeuwin, Horn), around the ‘Roaring Forties’, and at exposed locations along the oceans. Of the metocean parameters considered, short waves are found to be the most critical risk indicator for port operability at most locations. Using (the insights of) this study, port authorities, operators, and designers can prepare for metocean risks at an early stage and effectively respond with mitigation measures and layout adjustments to improve port operability.
Highlights
International shipping is key to the global economy and responsible for the transport of 80% of the world’s trade by volume and over 70% of world’s trade by value in 2018 [1].Seaports are crucial nodes in the world’s supply chains and play an important role in the development of regional and national economies [2]
By analyzing 40 years of open-source metocean data on wind, short wave, and IG wave conditions at an hourly interval, we provide first-order insights into which metocean parameters contribute most to seaport operability risks along the world’s coastlines
We focus on the environmental conditions that are important for the operability of seaports
Summary
International shipping is key to the global economy and responsible for the transport of 80% of the world’s trade by volume and over 70% of world’s trade by value in 2018 [1].Seaports are crucial nodes in the world’s supply chains and play an important role in the development of regional and national economies [2]. The performance of ports, and related supply chains, is affected by weather related downtime, e.g., by wind and waves [3] Accounting for these weather conditions in port design and operations is important to minimize port downtime, optimize port competitiveness, and ensure the continuity of supply chains. We define ‘port operability’ as the degree to which safe and reliable port operations (e.g., navigation, tugging, mooring, berthing, on/offloading) can be guaranteed. It is determined, among others, by environmental conditions, dynamic ship response, port infrastructure design (e.g., layout, fenders, handling means), and human factors (for an overview, see [4]). We focus on port operability risks related to metocean conditions in terms of wind and waves
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