Nautical Studies

Safe navigation and knowledge of ship behaviour in the port environment are essential for port operations to be efficient and sustainable. To meet these goals, CoastalPort Engineering develops nautical studies that support safer designs and more effective operations.

Channel design and aids to navigation

Conceptual and detailed design of the horizontal dimensions of navigation channels
Conceptual and detailed design of the vertical dimensions of the channel
Documentation for compliance with Brazilian Navy standard NORMAM 11 for ports, channels, transmission lines and wind farms
Aids to navigation design and approval process with the Brazilian Navy (CAMR)
Design of buoys and anchoring systems

Ship manoeuvring simulation

Manoeuvring simulations of ships, barges and convoys
Analysis of layout alternatives for port structures and waterways
Assessment of operational limits and tug requirements
Risk analysis studies
Multi-player simulations

Mooring and vessel motion studies

Static or dynamic mooring studies
Ship-to-ship, ship-to-barge and convoy mooring studies
Simulation of vessel motions under wave action
Operational limit analyses
Passing ship simulation

Navigation windows and downtime

Analysis of operational limits for vessel manoeuvring and mooring
Metocean data analysis to determine operational windows
Studies of risk mitigation solutions
Preparation of risk management plans
Preparation of emergency action plans

Under-keel clearance studies

Probabilistic grounding simulations
Assessment of vertical vessel motions under wave action
Definition of dredging depths and safety margin requirements
Assessment of operational draught limits
Implementation of dynamic under-keel clearance systems

Experience

Related projects

Real-time ship manoeuvring simulations

Manoeuvring simulations of ships, barges and convoys in a bridge simulator, with manoeuvring workshops, to assess layouts, operational limits and tug requirements.

Dynamic under-keel clearance (UKC) analysis

Calculation of the dynamic UKC of the access channel for each draught and speed, combining tide, waves, squat and ship response, in place of the static rule. The outcome is the feasible draughts and tidal windows for each condition, the gain in operability and the comparison between channel alignment alternatives, with the sedimentation predicted by morphodynamic modeling.

Feasibility study (EVTEA) for the concession of the Barra Norte channel, Amazon River

Technical, economic and environmental feasibility study prepared in 2023 for ATP and donated to the Brazilian Federal Government: demand study and characterisation of navigation on the Amazon River, requirements and scope of the concessionaire for managing the access channel, CAPEX and OPEX estimates, and analysis of tariffs and concession models.

See our experience

What we do