Applied to Determine the Shape and Operational Condition of New Ports – Mielno Port Case Study

This paper presents a complex method of establishment of optimum design of sea ports with regard to navigational safety. Real-time simulation method was implemented in the presented study. The limited task real-time simulation model was created together with characteristic ship models and environment. The paper presents several stages of the research, such as the designing of the model, planning of simulation experiments and statistical analysis of results, The results are used as design guidelines for the small Polish sea port of Mielno which is currently under development

Occurrence of Unknown Sensor Data within AIS Dynamic Messages

For more than a decade, the Automatic Identification System (AIS) has contributed to increasing the safety of navigation at sea. Despite the benefits of the system, AIS messages shared between vessels and the AIS dynamic data transferred to the Portable Pilot Units may contain unknown values of sensor data if the sensor data on board becomes either unavailable or undeliverable for any reason. In this paper, an experiment is conducted to analyse the performance of an AIS transponder during a virtual sea voyage. By altering the sensor data rate it is possible to cause the AIS transponder to output AIS messages with unknown sensor data. After performing the experiment, a generic approach is used in order to establish a correlation between the sensor data rate and the relative occurrence frequency of AIS unknown values. This leads to the formulation of a simple equation which describes the interdependence between the interval of sensor data provision, the age of the sensor data allowed by the AIS transponder and the percentage of unknown data within the AIS data output

Optimization of LNG terminal parameters for a wide range of gas tanker sizes: the case of the port of Świnoujście

LNG terminals are built to handle tankers of specific size, with cargo capacities within a narrow scope. This is related to the differences in cargo, fender and mooring systems used for LNG tanker handling of various sizes. The research problem solved in the article is the development of the method for optimal design of a universal LNG cargo handling facility that enables safe operations of LNG tankers in a wide range of cargo capacity that covers almost entire spectrum of global fleet tanker sizes. The article presents a methodology of optimizing the parameters of LNG cargo terminals to accommodate both small bunker ships with cargo capacity of 500 m3 (50 metres in length) to Q-flex type tankers capable of carrying up to 220 000 m3 (320 m in length). The authors have determined conditions for the safe operation of these tankers in sea LNG terminals and described differences in the construction of cargo, fendering and mooring systems. The optimization of both location and terminal parameters for a wide range of gas tanker sizes as well as approach channels leading to the LNG berths was performed using a specially designed two-stage simulation method of optimization. In the first stage the best location of a universal LNG terminal and its berths in the existing port basin is determined. The second stage defines optimal parameters of approach waterways to the berths of a universal LNG terminal. The optimization criterion at both stages was the minimization of the costs to build and to operate a universal LNG terminal. The developed optimization methodology was actually used in the design of the universal LNG terminal in the outer port of Świnoujście. The tests made use of real time simulation (RTS) and non-autonomous models of ships, in which ship movement is controlled by a human (pilot, captain). Simulation tests were performed on a multi-bridge ship handling Polaris simulator with a 3D projection, from Kongsberg Maritime AS. This full-mission bridge simulator (FMBS) is located at the Marine Traffic Engineering Centre, Maritime University of Szczecin. Two simulation ship movement models were built and verified for testing the manoeuvres of port entry and berthing. These are: Q-flex type tanker (length: 320 m) and an LNG bunker ship, 6,000 m3 capacity, 104 m in length. The test results were used in the design of the universal LNG terminal in the outer port of Świnoujście and approach waterways leading to the berths (now this investment project is in progress)

Pilot Navigation System - Integrated Tool for Vessels Handling in Ports

The process of sea navigation where the vessel is near the coast has the highest risk factor compared to all sea voyage. This factor is also affected by hydrometeorological condition ¿ especially poor visibility. Such phenomena¿s might lead to reduction of traffic and in extreme cases even to closing traffic in given areas by VTMS operators. This leads to potential economic loss. The work of sea pilot and captain have added significance here. It is often their decision whether to enter or leave the port, or to pass though difficult areas in bad weather. This article presents the Pilot Navigation System (PNS) ¿ system that will support user in navigation at confined areas.JRC.G.4-Maritime affair

Modeling the location and routing problem for the distribution of liquefied natural gas

Programming methods, such as dynamic heuristic search or search and limit techniques are used for solving the problems of routing. Many of the problems to be solved require huge computing effort, some of them are NP-hard. Other optimization algorithms that may be used for solving vehicle routing problems are methods based on genetic algorithms, neural networks and ant algorithms. The problem of LNG distribution system is closely related to the problem of route planning. These problems are characterised by a simple definition of the problem, unlike finding the solution. Finding the optimal outcome for a great number of points is a hard and work-consuming task. Genetic algorithms are an alternative for the methods most often used so far

Data Exchange Protocol in Repsail

Article presents implantation and theoretical considerations of data exchange protocol developed for the RepSail project, where main objective was design and building innovative hybrid yacht. One of problems during the design process was improper functioning of data exchange protocols that were available in the commercially available devices to mention navigation purpose NMEA183 or 2000 as well as automation dedicated ones (CAN and similar). Author shows the basis of the dedicated format of exchange for in board devices

Maximum Safe Parameters of Ships in Complex Systems of Port Waterways

Context: From the perspective of marine traffic engineering, a system of port waterways is composed of a set of waterways (port areas), such as approach channels, port entrance, inner fairways (port channels, rivers, lakes), turning basins and port basins of various terminals. The sea waterway must be adjusted to the navigation of specific types of ships, characterized by length, breadth, draft and airdraft. The primary requirement for shipping in sea waterways is the safety of navigation. Each sea waterway has traffic restrictions for the ships using it. These restrictions are called conditions of sea waterway operation or conditions of ship operation in the sea waterway. Problem: There are a number of empirical, deterministic or probabilistic methods to determine the safe width of maneuvering areas on port waterways. The direct application of empirical methods to determine the conditions for the safe operation of ships on the complex waterway, such as the Świnoujście–Szczecin fairway, was impossible due to the complexity of the waterway and various restrictions on its individual parts. Method: The paper presents the assumptions and calculation procedure of a method allowing for the determination of maximum safe parameters of ships in existing complex waterways. Results: The proposed method was used in the preparation of port regulations for the dredged and widened Świnoujście–Szczecin waterway. The results of these calculations are presented as a practical application of the method. Conclusions: This article defines conditions for the safe operation of ships in complex port waterways systems and presents the methodology for determining maximum safe parameters of ships in existing complex port waterways systems

A simulation method for the determining the minimum pull of tugs assisting in port manoeuvres

The article presents a simulation method for determining the minimum safe pull of tugs assisting in port manoeuvres. The method can be used to determine the relationship between the minimum safe pull, understood as the tension on the line, of the assisting tugs and the overall length, cargo capacity or net capacity of ships manoeuvring in a given port under allowable hydrometeorological conditions. The method was verified through simulated tests of gas tankers’ entry, turning and berthing at the LNG terminal of Świnoujście

Reliability measures in GNSS multi-constellation systems

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyse methods and factors that describe reliability in modern GNSS systems. Design/Methodology/Approach: This analysis was conducted for several branches of human activity that rely on technical systems for assuring safe and reliable operations. Transportation, logistics, geodetical measurements, or development are just few professional activities dependent on satellite positioning. The reliability of the whole transport or technological chain is often combined with the singular reliability of satellite monitoring systems. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are present where human activity must be backed with precise positioning and timing information. Findings: This paper will provide a review of researches in the field of GNSS on the side of the multi-constellation receiver concerning reliability issues. Practical Implications: A combination of technical criteria to mention safety, maintainability, quality, cost, risk, or availability will be addressed as a comparative analysis. Originality/Value: The results of the study reflect the applicability and effectiveness of used indicators that can contribute to many human activites. Consequently, the fundamental strength of proposed factors can contribute to many business branches where accuracy and standard measures of reliability used in single constellation (like GPS) receivers differ then multi-constellation ones where more complex reliability measures must be provided.peer-reviewe