Posted on June 13, 2017
DHI’s Port Expansion Solution claims to allow ports and terminals to reduce their dredging costs while minimising the environmental impact of channel expansion and ongoing maintenance.
Speaking exclusively to Port Strategy, Simon Mortensen, group executive for ports & navigation at DHI, explained: “We provide numerical modelling for optional design; these are more advanced methods than currently used. Using more accurate models of what the vessel does at berth and in the channel gives more targeted figures.
“One of the key numerical model engines that we use for channel capacity assessments is not new; most ports have used them for many years in full bridge simulators. When we tell ports that we have taken the engine of that and used it for optimal quantitative planning that takes the red flag down to yellow for ports.”
Mr Mortensen said that more advanced methods make responses more lifelike: “We do a full instrumentation of the ship during transit and compare the underkeel clearance results with the numerical models. The system tells you the worst-case and also what you are likely to expect. This builds confidence in the results.”
He added that while operators might feel comfortable with current design standards, the levels of certainty are frequently misunderstood.
DHI’s solution addresses the challenge of catering to larger sizes, which are “part of the future”, said Mr Mortensen. “Modern ports will need to be ready for this change if they are to remain competitive.”
The Port Expansion Solution is one suite of software that can help them to make investments much more intelligently, he concluded.
Source: portstrategy
