Navigation and vessel motions

Navigation studies and vessel motions analysis for the design and optimisation of port developments and mooring systems.

PRDW’s navigation studies and vessel motions modelling capabilities have been developed over 15 years. Specialised software coupled with extensive practical experience enables PRDW to accurately analyse vessel behaviour from approach channels all the way to the berth. This unique and specialised capability is instrumental in assessing safety in design and identifying optimisation opportunities in existing and future port developments.

Navigation studies suitable for all phases of the project life cycle are possible with desktop simulations (2D and 3D) for feasibility studies through to full bridge simulations (3D) for detailed design. All navigation studies are overseen by PRDW’s own Master Mariner with sea-going experience and as a ship simulator specialist and pilot.

PRDW has access to, and experience in the use of a number of navigation, naval architecture, ship design and mooring analysis software packages.

The software used for navigation studies is SimFlex4 (Force Technology) for both desktop and full mission ship manoeuvring simulation (2D and 3D) studies. Hydrodynamic effects such as ship-ship interaction, bank interaction and squat fundamental in simulating restricted waterways are incorporated. Additionally, tug simulation is included which models the effects of propeller slipstream, anchors, hawsers, winches and deliberate heel and trim.

For navigation studies, typical analyses include:

• Channel width utilisation and manoeuvring area verification
• Determination of port operating limiting conditions
• Determination of tug power/fleet requirements
• Verification of dynamic underkeel clearance operation
• Determination and verification of aids to navigation solutions

The choice of software for vessel motion studies depends on the site and study requirements. Available specialist software includes:

• DelftShip Professional – Vessel model generation
• Amarcon Office (Seaway) – Vessel hydrodynamic database
• TERMSIM II (MARIN) – Feasibility analysis of SPM, MBM and offshore jetties
• Orcaflex (Orcina) – General mooring system, flexible hoses, offloading sequences, pipe laying analysis
• AQWA (Ansys) – Multi-body hydrodynamic interactions, complex mooring configurations, dynamic mooring components (Shore Tension, MoorMaster)
• DVRS (DHI) – Long wave motions due to basin seiche

PRDW has also developed in-house tools to combine the above models for specific applications.

For vessel motions studies, typical analyses include:

• Free floating RAO assessment for Dynamic Underkeel Clearance (DUKC) navigation assessment
• Analysis and design of mooring systems for moored vessel terminal developments
• Analysis of long wave excitation and subsequent vessel motions in ports susceptible to harbour resonance and seiche
• Analysis of compliant mooring systems and flexible hose offloading facilities
• Determination of operational availability and downtime calculations for terminal throughput optimisation.