JIP ROPES

Period:	01-10-2010- 01-10-2013

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Objectives

To provide insight into the effects of passing ships and to validate and develop methodologies for the evaluation of such effects on ships moored in a port in order to provide solutions for existing and new port and terminal developments.

Background

Passing vessels can form a threat to continuous and safe loading and offloading operations of vessels due to the resulting unwanted motions and mooring loads of the moored vessel. Interruption of loading/discharging operations can lead to unacceptable down-times, loss of efficiency and, when transfer of oil or gas is involved, potentially dangerous situations.

MARIN, Pinkster Marine Hydrodynamics (PMH BV), Svašek Hydraulics and Deltares are applying their knowledge and resources to formulate and carry out a Joint Industry Project RoPES aimed at improving knowledge regarding the physical phenomena involved and the means to predict the behaviour of the moored vessel.

The project makes optimal use of the combination of numerical simulations, model-scale measurements, and full-scale measurements. The scope of work comprises the following Work Packages (WP):

WP 1: Review and use of state-of-the-art prediction methods

WP 2: Development of a computer program for the prediction of the forces due to a passing vessel

WP 3: Model-scale tests

WP 4: Full-scale tests

WP 5: Evaluation of prediction methods and recommendations for the safe mooring of ships in areas with passing ships