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In all new container terminal development projects robotisation of operations is a serious consideration to cope with the demands of both higher productivity and lower costs. The process control system which controls and co-ordinates all functions in the terminal is a key element in a robotised terminal. A set of guidelines is described that supports the design of a PCS (process control system). The application of these guidelines decreases the chance of a mismatch between functional and technical specification of the actual implementation. It also enables the software to be tested at a much earlier stage as well as for software to be tested on its functionality and performance as if it had already been implemented. Firstly the specific characteristics of the container terminal industry leading to the automation of a terminal are elaborated upon. In addition problems that arise when designing and realising an automated terminal are described. After this a set of design guidelines is proposed that meet the specific problems during a design-engineering trajectory of an automated terminal.

Shipping exhaust gas emissions impact on the environment. The quantity and composition of a ship's exhaust gas emissions are evaluated during different manoeuvres by numerical simulation. The benefits of introducing the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) technique for the reduction of NO (nitrogen oxide) emissions are assessed. A real cycle diesel engine model is modified to simulate the partial recirculation of exhaust gases in order to predict exhaust gas emissions quantitatively and to examine the performance of the propulsion system. Results showing variations of NO emissions are presented for steady- and transient-state conditions and for different amounts of recirculated gas. [Note : EGR validated in steady state only.]

This paper describes a novel site classification procedure useful for developing phenomenological models to predict the ground movement hazard to buried pipelines. The study evaluates numerous instrumented sites in the SNAM gas transmission pipeline network and examines available data on key factors that can be related to ground movement. Several patterns of long term rainfall and ground movement are identified and sites are categorized with respect to slope geometry and rainfall and movement characteristics. This preliminary analysis lays the foundation for development of a set of phenomenological prediction models calibrated to the unique characteristics of different climatic regions and different modes of slow ground movement.

Marine protected areas play an important role in the conservation of marine resources and fisheries management. In the Basque Country (northern Spain) the small Gaztelugatxe Marine Reserve was established in 1998. After five years without exploitation it is considered likely that the goose barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) populations have recovered. This paper provides information on the standing stock and of the relationships between biomass coverage and density and environmental factors such as wave height and energy derived from waves received at the coast. The results are compared with the situation in unprotected areas and as a tool in the management of exploited stocks. Such an approach allows comparison of observed and predicted differences e.g. overexploitation and pollution. This will help in assessing goose barnacle resources along the coast. Results are presented and discussed and conclusions drawn.

Procedures are described to define design loads and responses of ocean structures. While these methods can be used for both fixed and floating structures this paper focuses on applications to floating structures; specifically extreme motions of both a tension-leg platform (TLP) and a spar buoy and the extreme tether tension of a TLP. To capture the important sensitivity of floating structures to wave period as well as height joint contours of significant wave height and peak spectral period are derived. Because these contours are structure-independent they provide a useful means to specify important combinations of environmental parameters for design and wave tank experiments. New methods are also developed to predict the effect of response variability.

High strength steels (X100 and X120) that are being considered for high-pressure gas pipelines differ from conventional steels by exhibiting lower work hardening capacity lower strain to failure and softening of their HAZ. These differences impact burst limit state and tensile limit state in addition to crack arrest. The impact of the variations in mechanical properties on the reliability of pipe limit states involving ductile burst of damaged or corroded pipe is examined. The results are presented of burst limit state analysis using state-of-the-art plastic burst models of strain hardening pipe and considering all the uncertainties that impact the margin of safety of pipes subject to internal pressure. Intact pipes corroded pipes and externally damaged pipes are considered. A case study comparing the differences between normal strength (X60) pipeline and high strength (X100) pipeline is also presented.

Int Conf held in London 21 - 23 Feb 1977 Papers are Reliability analysis in the design of transmission and distribution systems Reliability effects of the electrical auxiliary systems in power stations Effect of plant reliability in operational planning problems Generation modelling in power system reliability evaluation The use of probabilistic models in the problems of power system management and planning Security control in network system operation Operating capacity reliability assessment Optimising the expenditure on reliability of supply in system planning for the benefit of the consumer The benefits of quantitative analysis in the assessment of electrical system reliability Quantifying the impact of manual emergency transfer switching upon the reliability of distribution systems A programme for composite bulk power electric system adequacy assessment Considerations concerning the choice of optimal risk in the medium term generation scheduling

Today the most common way of operating and maintaining diesel engine applications is based on the traditional methods of operating hours and recommendations from the suppliers. However given currently available technologies this is not necessarily the best approach. The majority of claimed failures are as a result of human misjudgement. The number of failures can be reduced considerably by using a CBM (condition-based maintenance) solution combined with installed control and monitoring systems and existing communication technologies and by involving equipment suppliers more in the analysing evaluating and supporting process of the existing information. Reduced operations costs and emissions are additional advantages. The Wartsila CBM is presented.

Since 2005 the UK government has been following an agenda that places risk at the centre of regulatory decision making inspection and enforcement. For many years now the maritime industry has acknowledged that a significant risk to maritime safety and pollution prevention is the human element in shipping. The human element remains not only the most significant risk to shipping safety and marine pollution but also the most challenging issue for the industry to develop effective approaches to minimise the risk. This paper presents some of the outcomes of research undertaken to date how that research has been used to inform and support UK policy on the human element initiatives at the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) and in the wider maritime community. The significant work is highlighted that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has undertaken in collaboration with leading researchers to further our understanding of the human element so that we may develop and implement effective risk mitigation strategies.

Poor perception conditions hamper decision-making when working with visualisation tools. A new set of software tools are presented that integrate near-real-time visualisation with a publish and subscribe mechanism to achieve remote monitoring and control of dynamic objects in an underwater scene. The requirements of a solution is outlined that can significantly improve the performance of underwater construction underwater surveying and navigation jobs (section 2). A proposed solution that fully addresses the requirements described in Section 2 is described (section 3). A hypothetical sample project (salvage operation) is illustrated (section 4). This particular job has been designed to showcase all the concepts presented. Even though the project itself is not real it is based on several projects where this technology has been used in the manner exposed. References are provided to real- world applications and companies that have benefit with the use of these tools (section 5).

Hyperspectral sensors hold great promise for over-ocean studies and applications. These include assessment of water quality and identification and monitoring of in-water and surface constituents. However the water-leaving radiance is a small percentage of the total at-sensor radiance for sensors situated on high-altitude and spaceborne platforms. To arrive at the intrinsic optical signatures of these phenomena compensation for atmospheric effects including scattering and absorption is essential. A technique is described and executed to derive atmospheric and oceanic properties from passive high-altitude airborne optical observations of the Santa Barbara Channel of California. These properties include atmospheric transmittance water vapour content and waveheight spectra. The atmospheric properties are required to obtain the intrinsic optical reflectance of the ocean while the waveheight spectra are needed to remove surface effects for the analysis of the water column.

The general aim of this project was to identify any special circumstances in which self-unloaders could compete with conventional bulk carriers. This report reviewed self unloading vessels with reference to the UK bulk trades, and reviewed the possibility of their entry into deep sea, coasting and short sea trades. A wide range of self unloading systems have been covered; detailed analysis focuses on belt conveyor and scraper type self unloaders as having the widest application. Crane and derrick-type self unloaders are also covered.

The paper discusses a range of methodologies for offshore riser monitoring. A review of existing and planned monitoring programs is provided with particular focus on the level of success achieved. Monitoring instrumentation and applications are discussed from the fit for purpose perspective highlighting the monitoring objectives reliability requirements and offshore operations. The paper also describes data processing methods used for screening and evaluating the collected data. The differences amongst standalone hardwired and acoustic data processing and further analysis of the monitoring data are discussed. In summary the paper discusses the relative benefits and potential problems associated with hardwired stand-alone and acoustic monitoring systems in adding value to the integrity management of deepwater risers.

This paper proposes a method to estimate the hydrological disaster prevention design criteria for the estuarine city Shanghai. Considering the combined effect of typhoon storm surge flood peak from upper river Yangtze and astronomical spring tide the Poisson-Gumbel Mixed Compound Extreme Distribution is adopted to predict the joint probability of storm surge and flood in the condition of spring tide. The stochastic simulation technique based on the Importance Sampling Procedure is also used to predict joint probability of storm surge flood and spring tide. In comparison with the traditional method both of them give more reasonable design criteria for coastal defence of Shanghai.

Ro-ro access equipment fitted to the ships involved in amphibious operations is considered. Recent advances in such equipment on a variety of military ship types are illustrated by example. The central role which the selection of such equipment plays in the synthesis of ro-ro vessel design is also exemplified. The impact of ro-ro equipment design choices can be seen in the ability of military vessels to load-offload in the stream over the shore or onto floating units such as Mexeflotes. Rates of load-offload are equally important in practice for military vessels as for their civilian counterparts. The paper begins by considering the wide range of ro-ro equipment which is available for designers to choose from before considering the means by which conceptual ship design decisions can be evaluated. Pages 8 to 19 give data tables diagrams and simulation results.

Sail assist involves installing SPUs (sail power units) on engine driven ships so that the wind can be used to reduce fuel consumption and-or to increase the ship's average service speed. An economic assessment of the potential of sail assist is presented beginning with a theoretical justification for selecting the Spins'l or Flettner Rotor as the best available sail system. The annual winds available for 14 representative shipping routes are presented in the form of a simple index number that is in turn related to the average wind at sea. This concept is combined with ship length and air draft above the deck to arrive at a theoretical maximum annual sail thrust available. This is then related to the required ship propulsive thrust to arrive at a theoretical maximum or upper limit to possible fuel savings from sail assist. The types of ships best suited to sail assist are discussed and study results are presented for four currently operational ships of various sizes. Conclusions are drawn.

The use of Sandwich Plate System (SPS) for reinstatement of corroded structures in ship repair is presented. A brief review of developments in European shipbuilding and ship repair is given before outlining the potential of SPS for enhancing European marine activities. The key features of SPS and its advantages over conventional stiffened steel plates are given. The SPS overlay reinstatement concept and process and a case study using the concept on a ro-ro ferry is given. The main conclusion is that the SPS overlay reinstatement has been shown to be effective and the time for reinstating is up to 25% of the Rip-and-Replace method whilst strengthening steelwork and minimising disruption to other parallel repair activities.

Surface wind fields over the ocean can be retrieved from SAR (synthetic aperture radar) measurements using empirical models. These models are based on the relation between the measured normalised radar cross section wind speed and wind direction. The applicability of these models to SAR images in a FETCH-limited situation is investigated. Comparisons of wind vectors retrieved from one ERS-2 SAR image with in situ measurements and airborne RAR (real aperture radar) measurements performed under FETCH-limited situations during the FETCH experiment. The data sets used for this comparison are described. Then the methods applied for deriving wind fields from SAR and RAR data are presented. The comparison of wind data collected during the FETCH experiment from the SAR an airborne RAR a R-V (research vessel) and a buoy are given.

The SBIR (small business innovative research) program is a government program to introduce innovative technologies and processes into government military and commercial products. SBIR taps the innovation and creativity in small domestic companies. Environmental and energy efficiency have been major focuses of the EPA and DoE programs while electric drive and related technologies have been a focus of several Navy programs. Examples of relevant SBIR technologies ready for transitioning are presented followed by a business process for teaming with small companies in or entering the SBIR program in order to gain the greatest possible benefit from government investment in SBIR technology. The difference between how shipyards leverage DoD-run SBIR programs and those of commercial agencies is explained. A background on the SBIR program is provided. Its main objectives are identified together with some ideas to help small businesses succeed in developing innovative solutions for government needs.

A new efficient computational algorithm is presented which allows Mie light-scattering properties of very large particles such as grains of sand detritus and clay to be calculated. The codes are capable of computing light scattering by absorbing particles with size parameters up to 16 million and by non-absorbing spherical particles with size parameters as large as one billion. These computations are very important for optics of coastal waters contaminated with terrigenic particles and dead organic matter. Results and analysis of these computations allow existing models of seawater optical properties to be extended to include components that are specific to coastal environment. The preliminary results of using programs based on this approach to calculate optical properties of sand particles are very promising. The approach can also be applied to smaller particles producing the same results as those produced by existing algorithms.