Impact of Port Clearance on Ships Safety, Energy Consumption and Emissions

Abstract

The safety of shipping, energy consumption and environmental impact in ports and port channels is very critical. One of the most important elements in the provision of safe navigation, energy consumption and emissions generation is the depth of ports so that under all conditions the hull of a ship does not touch the bottom of the channels or the bottom of the basin, as well as optimizing energy consumption and minimizing the environmental impact. The very high depth reserves in ports make it possible to ensure the safety of shipping, but at the same time require huge investments in the dredging and maintenance of a port’s channels and basins, which can have a negative impact on a port’s economic results. Optimizing the depth of port channels and basins is very important from an economic, maritime safety, energy saving and environmental point of view, as vessels navigating port channels and basins must not only keep their hulls off the bottom of the channel or basin, but also have good controllability, use minimal energy consumption and minimize their environmental impact. With good maneuverability, the number of and need for auxiliary vehicles (tugs) can be minimized. This article analyses the relationship between ships’ draught and port channels and basins depths, which influences the aspects of a ship’s controllability, in order to optimize the depths of port channels and basins and, at the same time, minimize energy consumption and environmental impact while preserving the necessary navigational safety.