| Ship / Vessel | FEDERAL NAKAGAWA / mmsi: 538006782/9278791 – (Bulk Carrier). The vessel is flat-bottomed. |
| Draft | 10 meters |
| Route | From Canada to private harbour 110 in Kristiansand (Glencore Harbour) |
| Date & Time | 5.1.2017 – Viewing the last part of berth from approx 20:00 -20: 30 |
| Tide | +20 cm (Tides are based on the tide table for area – not actual water level at the moment) |
| Purpose of display | Make new margins on harbour 110 visible. This area has, according to the latest measurements, gained 59cm more in depth. Give examples of what such extra depth can mean for planning purposes by agents, shipping companies, Glencore, Pilots, etc. |
Display and input during the test
The last part of the track is somewhat inaccurate. It may seem that the AIS track is not as reliable when the vessel is at low speed /almost at rest. This is the reason why the track looks like this (as shown in the picture below) approaching harbour.
Display of safety margin with “old” depth measurement
Nautical Charts BEFORE 2021 showed a maximum depth at the berth of 10m, with a safety margin of 7%, tides of 20cm and a draft vessel of 10m, this means insufficient clearance under keel, according to the display in the S-100 Demonstrator.
However, it was specified by the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s Pilot Carl Ellingsen and the Port of Kristiansand, that they have been aware that there was more information available since a private survey by “Parker Martime ” was carried out in 2015. Berthing at 110 with FEDERAL NAKAGAWA on 5 January 2017 was therefore not considered to be risky. However, this information has not appeared on official ENC (Electronic Navigational Charts) and therefore, has not been available to others.
Display of safety margin with new updated depth measurement
A new survey for this specific area was done by “Hydrograf” (Norwegian Hydrographic Service) in June 2020. The new survey reveals additional +59 cm depth at the berth.
When adjusting the safety margins according to the new data, which is 59cm extra depth at the berth and 20cm tide, it becomes clear in the S-100 Demonstrator that the margins are much better.
Display obstacles if draft is more than 10 meters
Upon request during the test (from Pilot Master) an additional display was made. By adding 0.5 meters more to the vessels draft (10.5 instead of 10) and a total safety depth is 11.2 meters, a small shallow emerges which remains in the middle of the model.
There is no exact calculation of how large the area is, but the small spot that appears as red under the model is less than one meter in diameter, and less than 10cm in height difference from the rest of the area. There is no functionality in place currently, in the S-100 Demonstrator, to calculate exactly how many cubic meters this amounts to.
It was pointed out by the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) that the new “Marine Ground Maps” (project lead by the Norwegian Hydrographic Service), can provide a better understanding of relevant areas, as they should be able to provide an overview and description of sediment type, depth of mud/sand down to rock and chemical samples that can detect contaminated masses etc. This should then be able to be used as part of the assessments when there is a requirement to remove pulp.
Possible consequence of 59cm extra depth at harbour 110
Extra depth at the berth can constitute a larger room for manoeuvring, increasing the potential draft of receiving vessels. At 59cm extra depth, the tonnage can be increased.
A hypothetical example below shows this:
- A vessel previously had a maximum limit of 9.9m draft at harbour 110 in Kristiansand with a TPC of 43.48 tonnes.
- If the new limit is 10.5 draft, it is possible to bring 43.48 tonnes * 60cm = approx 2609 tonnes extra load.
- This could potentially result in more cargo per round trip (e.g. between Canada – Norway) and reduce the need for the number of calls to deliver the same amount of ore to goods owner.
Saved costs + saved emissions (environmental impact)
Conclusion on display
- The Pilot master from the Norwegian Coastal Administration stated:
- Until now, a lot of time and energy has been spent convincing goods owners that there is sufficient depth. Being able to use such a tool, with new updated data, will make this job much easier.
- Port of Kristiansand added:
- It can also be used to understand a little better what potentially needs to be removed by mass for the port (s) to have a satisfactory depth for larger vessels in the future.