Mechanical Technology June 2015

⎪ Robotics, automation and mechatronics ⎪

T he automated mooring system (AMS) at the Port of Ngqura in South Africa’s east coast is poised to improve port efficiency and safety, cementing the deep-water port’s position as a leading trans-shipment hub for the sub-Saharan region. The new mooring system at the Port of Ngqura comprises 26 mooring units, the last of which arrived at the port in March 2015. “Procured from global engineering group, Cavotec, the mooring units were designed, custom manufactured and installed to meet the specific environmental conditions of the Port of Ngqura. They will complement manual berthing teams at the port by stabilising container vessels on the quayside at the click of a button, reducing docking and undocking times from between 10 and 40 minutes to less than 10 seconds,” says Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) chief executive, Richard Vallihu. Port manager, Mpumi Dweba, adds that Ngqura experiences significant long wave effects and strong winds, particularly in the winter months, which frequently cause berthed vessels to move ex- cessively, impacting cargo operations, safety and the port’s efficiency. “This unique vacuum based automated mooring technology is used in only a few ports internationally, but will be the first in the South African port system, proving once again that the Port of Ngqura is the leader in deploying new technologies to improve port operations and the safety of vessels,” she says. Technicians from Cavotec have been on site since November 2014 assembling and testing units at Berth D100, one of four berths at the Ngqura Container Terminal that will be equipped with the technology. Dweba said the pilot berth was selected because it was most severely affected by weather conditions. Local skills transfer was a central requirement of the contract and Cavotec will upskill local mechanical and electrical companies to provide ongoing technical support, maintenance and repairs to the port. In addition, Ngqura maintenance staff has received specialised training, while operational training will take place after the units have all been installed. Cavotec’s AMS technology uses remote controlled vacuum pads, recessed in or mounted on the quayside, to moor and release vessels in seconds, increasing productivity. It also dramatically improves safety and operational efficiency. Says Ngqura Port Engineer, Gerrit du Plessis: “A unique capabil- ity of the AMS is that the vessel will be kept almost static whilst alongside the quay, with movements restricted to within 50 mm. This is made possible by the design of the pneumatic AMS units, which can move both vertically and horizontally in response to wind and wave action, as well as ‘walk’ up and down the vessel to accommodate tidal variations.” q Port of Ngqura’s automated mooring system

The new automated mooring units along the Ngqura quayside.

Mechanical Technology — June 2015

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