{"id":9736,"date":"2021-02-26T15:11:09","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T15:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=9736"},"modified":"2022-08-16T13:15:37","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T12:15:37","slug":"offshore-ports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/offshore-ports\/9736\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping security afloat with offshore ports"},"content":{"rendered":"
Shipping ports play a vital role in the transportation industry and have a significant impact on the wider economy. There are currently over 1,200 commercial seaports operating across Europe with a 50% increase in cargo handling expected by 2030. While this is a positive step in terms of economic growth and employment, it also brings with it increased levels of transport emissions, a greater threat to security and increased risk of port congestion.<\/p>\n
Offshore ports are gaining momentum as a greener, safer and overall more efficient means of transporting cargo. The Innovation Platform<\/em><\/a> spoke to Franklin Martin about the innovative offshore developments taking place at Float Inc<\/a>.<\/p>\n For the shipping industry, the absolute control of vessels\u2019 movements including departures, sailing time, current position and destination arrival is highly necessary. The amount of cargo handled in EU ports is predicted to rise by 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 so Europe\u2019s ports need to adapt in order to handle the increased amount of traffic. Furthermore, it\u2019s important that the disparity between the performance of different European ports is addressed: Antwerp, Hamburg and Rotterdam are three of the best performing European ports and are responsible for one fifth of all goods arriving into Europe by sea. Performance gaps produce huge inefficiencies including longer routes, major traffic detours, longer sea and land trips, and ultimately increased transport emissions. If nothing is done problems like these will inevitably get worse as the industry continues to grow.<\/p>\n One such solution to the challenges outlined would be to adopt a similar system to that used for the commercial aircraft. The results of this could include the reduction of sailing time costs (for both owners and clients) through a more coordinated communications system; reduction of CO2 <\/sup>pollution<\/a> caused by the tractor\/trailer transhipment of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) across Europe and the reduction of port call time and TEU delivery\/departure to ease the current necessity to start\/end \u201chome port\u201d sailing. For example, at present ULCC vessels transiting the English Channel lose an average of eight days (four-in and four-out) due to their size and weight and the reduction of speed authorised (10 knots ILO 23 knots sailing speed). ULCC vessels entering ports along their journey also lose time in waiting \u201ctheir turn\u201d or due to limited availability of vacant berthing pier(s).<\/p>\n Float Inc\u2019s Offshore Floating Ocean Energy System (OFOES), configured as a centralised hub port \u2013 Security Port, provides the pivotal point for ULCC vessels, as well as short-sea shipping vessels, serving specific ports directly from the Security Port. The multi-use platform is designed to exploit the renewable resources<\/a> of the oceans, providing renewable energy from wind and wave capture and conversion to grid electricity onboard. This revolutionary system accelerates the development of offshore markets and reduces the overall cost of ocean-energy exploitation.<\/p>\n As well as being a hub for different vessels, the OFOES can also benefit other potential users and industries. Other uses could include those related to aquaculture, fishing, desalination, LNG liquefaction and re-gasification and offshore Ro-Ro and\/or container ports.<\/p>\n The uncertainty around current ports being able to accept ULCC vessels due to inappropriate berthing sizes and water depths would be diminished when vessels berth at the Security Port. This is thanks to exact navigation location information and data as well as the number of piers pre-selected for berthing (both for ULCC and short-sea shipping vessels) which are all accessible and without excessive restrictions such as water depths, pier length, etc.<\/p>\n The Security Port must be in constant contact with the vessel\u2013 similar to commercial aircraft identification and location\/speed information \u2013 so the exact position of the vessel is known during its voyage, both to and from the Security Port. This would enable coordinated preparations for berthing and discharge\/charge of ULCC vessels and identify the correct short-sea shipping vessels for its destination and container(s).<\/p>\n Additionally, the stable Security Port incorporates variable deck load capabilities and provides advanced notice for berthing position. As the berths are situated in mid ocean, near the general path of sailing, the berthing time is shorter and embarking\/debarking containers is accomplished rapidly thanks to the inclusion of an automated crane and container transporter between ULCC vessels and awaiting short-sea shipping vessels on the opposite wing of the Security Port. Therefore, avoiding stacking and handling manoeuvres normally found at ashore ports.<\/p>\n The OFOES combines the PSP (Pneumatically Stabilized Platform) \u2013 including the PES (Potential Energy Storage) \u2013 and the Rho-Cee Wave Energy Converter system which captures and converts the wave energy into electricity via the Trident Energy power take-off system. The advantages of using this system include a lower installation cost, a reduction in the operation and maintenance required due to ease of access and reduced operating costs for customers due to the standalone power generation.<\/p>\n Multiple configurations are possible as the design of the Float Europe OFOES is determined by the application and based upon various data types to enable the appropriate configuration(s) for the candidate anchorage site.<\/p>\nWhat do you feel are the main challenges facing the European shipping sector today?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
Can you describe your Float Europe Security Port and the specific benefits this has in the context of the aforementioned challenges?<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
How does the Float Europe Security Port fit in with your other technologies (PSP, PES, and the Rho-Cee Wave Energy Converter, for instance)?<\/h3>\n