Update of Vessel Maneuvering and Vessel Traffic Simulation Studies

Challenge

As the leading producer and exporter of LNG with its own fleet of tankers, Qatargas wanted to verify the feasibility of the planned volume growth and the effectiveness of considered enhancements for Ras Laffan Port. They assigned HPC to conduct a nautical bridge simulator study, verifying the nautical accessibility and safe maneuvering for the new berths and a vessel traffic simulation study for the port as a whole, analysing vessel service quality in response to the planned port enhancements.

Tasks Performed

• Reviewed port rules and regulations, as well as environmental conditions
• Defined simulation scenarios for bridge simulation and vessel traffic simulation study
• Set up a bridge simulator model, including port layout and relevant vessels
• Bridge simulator tests, verifying nautical access and safe maneuvering under different conditions
• Set up a vessel traffic simulation model, including port layout, weather conditions, resources and regulations
• Vessel traffic simulation analysis, determining expected vessel waiting times in response to expected volume increase and planned port enhancements (tug boat fleet, dredging, etc.)
• Determined port and channel capacity
• Quantified tug boat and pilot requirements for expected volume increase

Benefit

With the simulation studies, HPC provided Qatargas with detailed information such as potential safety issues regarding vessel manoeuvring, tugboat and pilot requirements for future traffic scenarios and the maximum channel capacity.