Cavotec MSL seals largest mooring deal to date

MoorMaster™ is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that moors vessels in seconds, eliminating the need for conventional mooring lines. The system counteracts vessel surge in port caused by changes in wave dynamics.
Under the contract, Cavotec will supply 14 MoorMaster™ 200B units for the PHPA’s iron ore facility. The systems will service vessels at the port’s Utah Point berth. Cavotec will also provide commissioning and on-site training support. If the initial 14 units prove successful, additional MoorMaster™ systems could be installed in PHPA’s no. 1 berth.

The 200B’s vacuum pads are designed to cope with the especially abrasive and viscous nature of iron ore dust. The units are engineered to withstand heavy impact from iron ore ship-loaders, and will also be embedded into the quayside rather than positioned on the dock in contrast to most other existing MoorMaster™ installations. Similar to current units in the MoorMaster™ range, the PHPA’s version will be able to secure a vessel in under 20 seconds, and release in less than seven seconds.

The 200B units are designed to handle any tidal level at the port, and moor vessels of up to 120,000dwt at 14.0m draft (295m LOA and 41m beam).