Shipyard Transfer Systems

Abstract

Modern shipyard layout concepts tend toward providing a single facility for launching or drydocking vessels and depend upon the use of transfer systems to move ships between that facility and the shore berths where they were constructed or where they will be or were repaired. Considerable ingenuity has been applied to solving the problems of ship transfer. This paper describes and categorizes some of these solutions and explores some of the systems which may not have seen extensive use but which have been considered and which may hold promise. Further, it explores the merits and shortcoming of the various systems and their interfaces with the various types of drydock/launcher.