Revolutionising port operations

Vessel sizes are increasing as operators try to scale up production to reduce costs. The burden falls on European ports as they try to safely accommodate larger vessels while boosting the rate of production in port facilities.

The EU maritime industry relies on several location systems to help vessels such as container ships and bulk carriers to manoeuvre and dock in ports. The existing systems, however, are expensive and lack long-range capabilities. Thanks to the EU-funded DOCKINGASSIST project, a vessel location system has become available with the capacity to improve port traffic management.

Team members initially carried out a user survey to define system requirements. The prototype was successfully tested at the Port of Cork in Ireland. The technology utilises a global navigation satellite system and a novel wireless network to provide secure and effective manoeuvring and docking across an entire port or harbour area. These components eliminate the need for costly positioning systems.

The system uses a fixed base station installed at a port and equipped with wireless technology with a range of several kilometres. It supplies exact coordinates and transmits this data to a Global Positioning System receiver on a vessel. A port operator then receives real-time position and speed. Testing showed the vessel's location to be accurate to the centimetre.

DOCKINGASSIST is expected to reduce docking practices by 20 %, saving both time and money while reducing fuel and carbon dioxide emissions. Project outcomes have the potential to turn European port operations into viable economic centres.