Smart Docking: lasers on the quay

Passing ships can sometimes cause docked container ships to shift or move. This can create dangerous situations. That’s why Port of Antwerp-Bruges launched the Smart Docking Challenge. The result? An innovative device that uses LiDAR technology to measure ship movement. This enables port authority supervisors to intervene in a timely manner.

Innovation Sustainability Port operations

Minor shifts, major risks

Stefaan Ides, research engineer at Port of Antwerp-Bruges: "In our port, many terminals are located along a waterway. Passing ships can sometimes cause moored ships at the terminals to move due to the displacement of water they cause.”

This can create dangerous situations. Mathias Van Laken, port authority supervisor, explains: "For instance, a shift of just two or three metres while a crane is attempting to lift a container can result in a hazardous situation. In the worst case, the vessel could strike a container crane or cause the gangway (used for boarding) to tip over."

Shore Tension: keeping vessels safely moored

The solution to that problem? Shore Tension! This system consists of two large hydraulic pumps that hold the ship with two additional mooring lines. The Shore Tension system counteracts movement, keeping the ship more stable. But not all shipping companies use Shore Tension technology.

Consequently, port authority officers monitor moored ships, especially those lacking the Shore Tension system. This also enables them to demonstrate the need for additional security measures for moored ships. They also share the collected data with pilots from time to time, helping them determine, for instance, the most suitable areas to reduce speed.

Hier zie je shore tension. Een hydraulische pomp die voorkomt dat schepen te veel gaan bewegen.

GPS as the primary solution

Until now, port authority officers use a GPS system to measure ship movements. Maarten Callens, Port Authority Supervisor, says: "The GPS device works on a car battery in a large backpack. The large battery is needed to ensure operation throughout the ship's stay. Once the ship is docked, a port authority officer steps aboard to place the device with magnets at the highest point on the ship." The GPS device measures the ship’s exact position. If the ship begins to move, a notification is automatically sent to port authority officers.

The GPS system also has drawbacks. "We sometimes spend half an hour setting up the device. Moreover, the backpack containing the car battery weighs between five and seven kilograms, and the GPS signal sometimes drops out when a container crane is operating overhead," Mathias explains.

GPS-toestel om beweging van schepen te meten. In de rugzak zit een batterij.

Lasers on the quay

In 2020, Port of Antwerp-Bruges therefore launched the Smart Docking Challenge. We challenged several companies to develop a new device capable of measuring ship movements in a simpler and more robust way. "The device we are testing now uses LiDAR technology," explains Stefaan. "It's the same technology that a car uses to emit a beeping sound when parking. Other colleagues also use this technology, for example, to carry out uninterrupted LiDAR scans of bridges and locks."

The measuring device emits a laser signal that reflects off the ship's hull. By measuring the time it takes for the laser to return, the device continuously calculates the distance to the ship. It can therefore determine the vessel’s relative movement. When movement of more than one metre is detected, port authority personnel are dispatched to verify safety conditions. They may require the shipping company to use Shore Tension. Stefaan: "We hope to use the first operational devices soon."

Aiming and measuring with a new device

The new system is more user-friendly than the old GPS device. "All you have to do is attach the device to the bollard at the quay using magnets, aim it, and turn it on," says Maarten. This way, port authority officers no longer need to board the ship each time to install the heavy GPS device. Mathias adds, "That makes it considerably easier for us to follow up on enforcement." The device has been tested at several locations in the port. We hope to replace the GPS devices with the new technology soon.

Apparaat dat met LiDar technologie vanaf de kant de afstand tot een schip meet. Dit is de uitkomst van de challange "smart docking".

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