Demonstration Test Conducted on Auto-mooring Device
PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer: Osamu OMOTO) participated in the Auto-Mooring Device Technical Review Committee, made up of the general incorporated foundation of Coastal Development Institute of Technology, and academic experts, which was ordered by the Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau, and was also commissioned to carry out demonstration test of the auto-mooring device at a public berth, the first of its kind in Japan, and contributed to verifying its effectiveness.
Our company was responsible for planning the demonstration test based on deliberations at the Technical Review Committee, and clarified the benefits of introducing the auto-mooring device through the operation of the test, analysis of various measurement data, and numerical analysis of moored ship motion.
■ Auto-mooring device demonstration test
Six auto-mooring devices were installed and demonstration tests were conducted in the Mariyama Minami area of Tsuruga Port.
■About the auto-mooring device demonstration test
It has been confirmed that the following benefits are expected from the introduction of the auto-mooring device:
●Effective in reducing ship motion
Using the "High-precision positioning service - ichimill"* provided by SoftBank Corp., conducted an analysis of ship motion to evaluate the effectiveness of the auto-mooring device in reducing motion. When comparing the mooring state of the mooring line with the mooring state of the auto-mooring device, it was confirmed that the amount of motion of the surge, sway, and roll components, which have a large impact on cargo handling work, was all reduced. It is expected that the reduction in ship motion will maintain a stable mooring state, improving quay utilization rate and the efficiency of cargo handling work. In addition, the reduction in ship motion is expected to reduce the risk of breakage of the mooring line, and reduce human and property damages.
* "High-precision positioning service - ichimill" (SoftBank Corp.)
Figure 1 Example of verification results for reduction effect of the roll component's motion amount
●Improved efficiency of docking and undocking operations
The number of workers and time required for docking and undocking were recorded, and the effect of improving work efficiency obtained by the auto-mooring device was evaluated. It was confirmed that if the auto-mooring device is introduced, there will be no need to retrieve the mooring line when docking and undocking, which could significantly reduce the number of workers and time required. It is also expected that the device will have a quick release effect in the event of a disaster.
■ Future activities
The introduction of the auto-mooring device is expected to make ship docking and undocking operations, loading and unloading processes more efficient and safer, improving the productivity of port operations while ensuring the safety of workers, which will contribute to the development of the industry as a whole.
In the future, PACIFIC CONSULTANTS will continue to contribute to the realization of sustainable port logistics through further technological research aimed at the widespread use of auto-mooring device.