Final Report Summary - EFFORTS (Effective operation in ports)
The EFFORTS project aimed to improve effectiveness and efficiency in port operations and management. The project consisted of three components, focussing on navigation in ports, port environment and port organisations. Moreover, various dissemination and human resources development activities were proposed.
Ships constantly increased in size during the last years while the ports they served remained the same. As a result, intelligent technical support was necessary to perform the required services while maintaining high safety standards to reduce the risk for severe environmental impacts due to collisions or groundings. Hence, tug simulators were developed as part of EFFORTS in order to facilitate manoeuvring within the ports.
The system included a three-dimensional (3D) simulator which enabled the tug skipper to judge the distance to the assisted ship better than in cases of conventional visual displays. The wave-thrust interaction for different propulsion types and tug sizes was determined through examination of detailed datasets. The designed hydrodynamic interaction codes were evaluated through testing. Fender and collision forces were also analysed and included in the simulator. It appeared that the method results were not sufficiently useful; the options for improvement remained an open question. However, the developed technology contributed significantly in visualising and modelling actual conditions in an effective way.
A prototype portable pilot unit (PPU) was also designed. The device was lightweight, quick and easy to set up, small, robust and reliable and finally, easy to use. The user interface was visually appealing and usable by touch screen. The software was applicable to different operating systems while some of its components could be installed to mobile devices.
The PPU offered to the pilot the options to select between different tags and proceed to silent communication and ordering. The potential of both the tug master and the vessel pilot to share visual information radically improved the efficacy of manoeuvring. Several tugs could be simultaneously employed.
Furthermore, a new port electronic navigational chart (ENC) standard was developed, along with an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) viewer, to meet the emerging needs. The standard was compatible with both inland and maritime ENCs and included additional features and objects compared to conventional alternatives. The undertaken work achieved high accuracy, improved resolution and provided three-dimensional modelling of the port and fairway.
Protection of the ports' environment, in order to minimise annoyances to adjacent residential areas, was also among the project thematic priorities. The employed approach consisted of defining potential environmental risks and applying preventive actions. Research focused on port water, air quality, annoyance due to noises and energy management. The operation of environmental offices within ports was highlighted, since it could reduce environmental impacts and establish communication with residents, thus increasing the operations' social acceptance.
The energy consumption within ports was modelled, in terms of emissions and cost, and a decision support tool (DSS) was designed. The potential for renewable energy production installations was investigated, along with the alternatives for handling peaks in demand. Wind energy offered the most attractive option for energy production because of the ports' vicinity to the open sea.
Moreover, the presence of harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water was studied and proposals for its limitation were formed. The aluminium concentration within water, due to its use for steel structures protection, was investigated. The quality of air to the ports' vicinity was examined to define the impacts of gas emissions and develop a prototype air treatment unit, which was tested on site. Finally, noise mapping in selected ports was utilised to define related annoyances and determine an adequate methodology for their reduction.
EFFORTS also focused on the processes involved in ports' operation. The proposal of innovative risk assessment and management practices resulted in the potential for increased productivity.
A process-oriented system approach was developed, in which the activity of generating added values formed the modelling core. Processes were treated as objects by the modelling scheme, which took environmental variables into account. Information exchange methods, standards and bearers were also considered and a series of recommendations was developed. Identification of the processes allowed for the provision of a common working platform applicable in various distinct fields, which could be internationally utilised for management of different port performance components.
In addition, a web-based risk management platform was constructed, consisting of numerous toolboxes sets. The application of the tool was feasible during both routine and non-routine conditions, such as infrastructural modifications.
Finally, the project provided a package to respond to the training needs of ports' human resources managers. The tool incorporated the competencies of knowledge, skills, capacity, attitudes, behaviours and capabilities of port workers. The establishment of a university network was furthermore proposed in order to apply a holistic approach to ports management and operation in education through the provision of a relevant degree.
Ships constantly increased in size during the last years while the ports they served remained the same. As a result, intelligent technical support was necessary to perform the required services while maintaining high safety standards to reduce the risk for severe environmental impacts due to collisions or groundings. Hence, tug simulators were developed as part of EFFORTS in order to facilitate manoeuvring within the ports.
The system included a three-dimensional (3D) simulator which enabled the tug skipper to judge the distance to the assisted ship better than in cases of conventional visual displays. The wave-thrust interaction for different propulsion types and tug sizes was determined through examination of detailed datasets. The designed hydrodynamic interaction codes were evaluated through testing. Fender and collision forces were also analysed and included in the simulator. It appeared that the method results were not sufficiently useful; the options for improvement remained an open question. However, the developed technology contributed significantly in visualising and modelling actual conditions in an effective way.
A prototype portable pilot unit (PPU) was also designed. The device was lightweight, quick and easy to set up, small, robust and reliable and finally, easy to use. The user interface was visually appealing and usable by touch screen. The software was applicable to different operating systems while some of its components could be installed to mobile devices.
The PPU offered to the pilot the options to select between different tags and proceed to silent communication and ordering. The potential of both the tug master and the vessel pilot to share visual information radically improved the efficacy of manoeuvring. Several tugs could be simultaneously employed.
Furthermore, a new port electronic navigational chart (ENC) standard was developed, along with an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) viewer, to meet the emerging needs. The standard was compatible with both inland and maritime ENCs and included additional features and objects compared to conventional alternatives. The undertaken work achieved high accuracy, improved resolution and provided three-dimensional modelling of the port and fairway.
Protection of the ports' environment, in order to minimise annoyances to adjacent residential areas, was also among the project thematic priorities. The employed approach consisted of defining potential environmental risks and applying preventive actions. Research focused on port water, air quality, annoyance due to noises and energy management. The operation of environmental offices within ports was highlighted, since it could reduce environmental impacts and establish communication with residents, thus increasing the operations' social acceptance.
The energy consumption within ports was modelled, in terms of emissions and cost, and a decision support tool (DSS) was designed. The potential for renewable energy production installations was investigated, along with the alternatives for handling peaks in demand. Wind energy offered the most attractive option for energy production because of the ports' vicinity to the open sea.
Moreover, the presence of harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water was studied and proposals for its limitation were formed. The aluminium concentration within water, due to its use for steel structures protection, was investigated. The quality of air to the ports' vicinity was examined to define the impacts of gas emissions and develop a prototype air treatment unit, which was tested on site. Finally, noise mapping in selected ports was utilised to define related annoyances and determine an adequate methodology for their reduction.
EFFORTS also focused on the processes involved in ports' operation. The proposal of innovative risk assessment and management practices resulted in the potential for increased productivity.
A process-oriented system approach was developed, in which the activity of generating added values formed the modelling core. Processes were treated as objects by the modelling scheme, which took environmental variables into account. Information exchange methods, standards and bearers were also considered and a series of recommendations was developed. Identification of the processes allowed for the provision of a common working platform applicable in various distinct fields, which could be internationally utilised for management of different port performance components.
In addition, a web-based risk management platform was constructed, consisting of numerous toolboxes sets. The application of the tool was feasible during both routine and non-routine conditions, such as infrastructural modifications.
Finally, the project provided a package to respond to the training needs of ports' human resources managers. The tool incorporated the competencies of knowledge, skills, capacity, attitudes, behaviours and capabilities of port workers. The establishment of a university network was furthermore proposed in order to apply a holistic approach to ports management and operation in education through the provision of a relevant degree.
