WALVIS BAY CHANNEL INTERSECTION SHIP SIMULATION STUDIES

PRDW was appointed by the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) to verify the channel width requirements to accommodate 9 000 TEU vessels in the Port of Walvis Bay. This study included fast-time and real-time ship simulation.

PRDW was tasked to provide specialist fast-time and real-time desk-top ship simulation studies for the Port of Walvis Bay. The objective of this study was to assist in the verification of the channel width requirement of the port’s existing approach and entrance channel design to accommodate a +/- 9 000 TEU design vessel.

The study was undertaken using a Full Mission Ship Manoeuvring Simulator known as SimFlex4. SimFlex4 is a ship manoeuvring simulation software capable of simulating full visual navigation bridge operations and includes the capability for advanced manoeuvring and pilotage in restricted waterways. The ship simulation studies were carried out in order to evaluate the manoeuvrability and navigational safety of these larger-sized container vessels which are likely to transit the existing entrance channel and the channel intersection with the new proposed channel under construction.

The focus of the study was to:

• Determine the minimum channel width for the Port of Walvis Bay in order to accommodate a +/- 9 000 TEU design vessel
• Ensure that the navigation approach and entrance channel width has an adequate margin of safety for the manoeuvring of the design vessel
• Optimise the proposed channel by a probabilistic analysis of the vessel swept track paths

S2001-49