Project Requirements & Analyses

Mooring & Berthing Analysis

The first step in any terminal redevelopment project is to assess the requirements of the new marine terminal. This begins with defining the design vessels in coordination with the port operator to determine the requirements for critical port infrastructure.

Once the design vessels are identified, a mooring analysis is conducted to evaluate whether the existing infrastructure is sufficient or requires upgrades. This analysis tests mooring arrangements under various environmental conditions—such as wind, current, tides, and waves—to measure the maximum forces on mooring lines and bollards, as well as the maximum movements experienced by the vessel.

Based on this analysis, adjustments to mooring arrangements and the installation of new mooring bollards are made as needed to ensure that a vessel can be moored safely at the berth within acceptable movement limits, and without risk of overstressing the infrastructure. This exercise is critical to prevent dangerous vessel movements or mooring failures, particularly in adverse weather.

Berthing studies are also conducted, in accordance with the latest 2024 PIANC Fender Guidelines (PIANC MarCom WG 211), to determine the energy absorption capacity required for the fenders. If upgrades are needed, both the fenders and any necessary modifications to the supporting wharf structure are designed and specified.

Today, modern berths are now equipped with 200 metric ton bollards to safely moor the largest vessels, that’s enough force to hold the combined weight of thirteen F-16 fighter jets!

Example mooring arrangement plan view of a vessel in Optimoor Mooring Analysis Software

Operational Analysis

In addition to ensuring that marine elements function effectively, operational efficiency is also prioritized during terminal redevelopment. Various aspects of the operation are evaluated to optimize performance, enhance the passenger experience, and ensure safety. Key areas of analysis include passenger flow, baggage handling, customs and immigration processes, terminal layout, security measures, amenities, and transportation connectivity.

As part of this process, boarding requirements are reviewed, and passenger boarding bridges are designed and specified as needed. The design vessels are also analyzed to ensure that key access points—such as provisions doors, garbage doors, and shore power connections—remain accessible for all design vessels throughout operations.

Passenger Boarding Bridge at Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Pier 88

Analysis of Existing Structures & Design of Works

The next critical process in the redevelopment of a marine terminal is analyzing the residual capacity of the structure. This involves conducting highly detailed condition surveys to assess the existing structural elements of the terminal. These surveys enable the creation of a repair schedule to ensure the structural components have the necessary capacity for the identified design vessel. Common deficiencies typically arise from corrosion of steel piles, cracking or spalling of concrete elements, impact damage, and other factors.

Once the condition of the existing terminal is known, a structural and geotechnical analysis is performed to confirm whether the existing terminal can withstand the new design loads associated with the terminal’s change of use and to identify any necessary strengthening works.

Structural analysis models are developed using state-of-the-art software to simulate all key structural elements and their interactions under a variety of loading scenarios. This allows for an element-by-element analysis to determine which parts of the existing wharf are adequate for the proposed loadings and which require upgrades.

This analysis is critical as it can lead to significant cost and time savings by precisely identifying which elements (and where) require improvement, allowing for the reuse of those deemed sufficient for the new terminal.

Once the requirements of the new terminal and the capacity of the existing structure are established, the requirements for new structures or modifications can be identified. This can include new fenders and bollards, independent dolphin structures, wharf extensions, or the design of new wharves and jetties.

Extruded view of a structural analysis model of an existing marine terminal using CSI SAP200.

Recent BA Marine Engineering Projects

BA has extensive experience in the detailed structural and geotechnical design of a wide range of marine structures. Some recent and ongoing projects include:

• Port of Galveston Terminal 16: Currently converting an existing terminal to a cruise berth, which includes a new terminal building, parking garage, passenger boarding bridge, and marine structure and civil improvements.
• Port Everglades Terminal 4: Updated the terminal to increase passenger capacity, enhance the passenger experience, and enable the safe berthing and mooring of larger cruise vessels by designing new independent mooring dolphins and fenders.
• PortMiami Terminal V: Redeveloped an obsolete site at PortMiami into an operational cruise berth, including the construction of a new anchored bulkhead to expand the operational apron area, the addition of a mooring dolphin to accommodate the largest cruise vessels, and berth deepening.

BA offers a wide range of marine services for repurposing and expanding existing marine terminals. For any further information or enquiries please contact our Director of Ports and Marine Engineering, Daniel Ramos (daniel.ramos@woolpert.com)

PortMiami Terminal V during and after construction works [Source: Google Earth]