New mooring analysis tool launched

SHIPMOOR is an internet-based application that facilitates mooring analysis, matching data on LNG vessels and terminals to support ship-to-shore compatibility assessments.

Primarily designed to make the assessment of mooring an LNG carrier alongside a berth a straightforward process, and reduce the likelihood of error with pre-entered ship and berth data, the tool uses the combined power of cloud-based servers to undertake the static (Phase I) and dynamic mooring (Phase II, where required) analysis for each vessel.

The tool provides reliable and accurate ship/shore mooring assessment, including 3D visualisation of the mooring arrangement with a 3D interactive tool for the development and examination of mooring plans.

Dr Mark McBride, HR Wallingford’s Ships Group Manager, said: “SHIPMOOR can be used for all types of ships to validate their mooring arrangements against the conditions they will encounter at a specific berth. In the case of LNG carriers, the results can be validated against industry-specific environmental criteria.”

By optimising a process that is usually completed manually, the companies believe that the tool will help to minimise errors and provide reliable data to port operators, vessel owners/charterers and cargo owners by maintaining up-to-date characteristics of individual ships and LNG terminals in a central database.

Iain Gunn, HR Wallingford’s Oil and Gas Sector Lead, added: “SHIPMOOR improves safety by mitigating the risk of mooring line failure, excessive vessel movement and emergency disconnection of the loading arms. It typically takes around 12 hours to re-establish these connections, with the associated demurrage. The potential damage to the environment, assets and reputation, however, are unquantifiable.”

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/tanks-terminals/21092018/new-mooring-analysis-tool-launched/