Automated mooring system will improve port efficiency

The system comprises 26 mooring units, the last of which arrived at the port in March 2015.

"Procured from global engineering group, Cavotec, the mooring units were designed, custom manufactured and installed to meet the specific environmental conditions of the Port of Ngqura. They will complement manual berthing teams at the port by stabilising container vessels on the quayside at the click of a button, reducing docking and undocking times from between ten and 40 minutes to less than ten seconds," said Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) chief executive, Richard Vallihu.

Port manager, Mpumi Dweba, added that Ngqura experiences significant long wave effects and strong winds, particularly in the winter months, which frequently cause berthed vessels to move excessively and impacts on cargo operations, safety and the port's efficiency.

Leader in new technologies

"This unique vacuum based automated mooring technology is used in a few ports internationally, but will be the first in the South African port system, proving once again that the Port of Ngqura is the leader in deploying new technologies to improve port operations and the safety of vessels," she said.

Technicians from Cavotec have been on site since November 2014 assembling and testing units at Berth D100, one of four berths at Ngqura Container Terminal that will be equipped with the technology.

Dweba said the pilot berth was selected because it was most severely affected by weather conditions. "We certainly look forward to fewer interruptions in the loading and unloading of ships which we know will yield significant improvements in our operational efficiency and our ability to better serve clients."

Skills transfer

Local skills transfer was a central requirement of the contract and Cavotec will upskill local mechanical and electrical companies to provide ongoing technical support, maintenance and repairs to the port. In addition, Ngqura maintenance staff have received specialised training, while operational training will take place after the units have all been installed. Installation and testing of the 26 units is under way and due for completion at the end of August 2015. Thereafter, the system could be rolled out to three additional berths at the Ngqura Container Terminal.

The AMS technology uses remote controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside, to moor and release vessels in seconds, increasing productivity. It also dramatically improves safety and operational efficiency.

"A very unique capability of the AMS is that the vessel will be kept almost static whilst alongside the quay with minimal movements of up to 50mm only," Ngqura Port engineer, Gerrit du Plessis, added. "This is made possible by the unique design of the pneumatic AMS units that can move both vertically and horizontally due to wind and wave actions and also 'walk' up and down the vessel to accommodate tidal variations."