Automated mooring technology for Australia
MoorMasters at Port Hedland
Fortescue Metals Group has ordered 24 MoorMaster™ MM200D for the Anderson Point 4 (AP4) berth, the company’s fourth berth at Port Hedland. The units will moor vessels ranging in size from 174kdwt to 206kdwt and are designed to withstand the rugged conditions at the berth where winds gust up to 30m/s. Due to tidal variations, vessels calling at Anderson Point are only able to sail at specific times. If ships are delayed they risk waiting up to eight hours before being able to sail. The MoorMaster™ units are said to ensure mooring times are kept to a minimum and thus optimise operational efficiency.
It will be the second berth at Port Hedland to use MoorMaster™. Fourteen MoorMaster™ MM200B units are already in operation at Port Hedland’s Utah Point iron ore handling berth.
MoorMaster™ is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that as per Cavotec eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines. Remote controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on, the quayside, moor and release vessels in seconds.
The technology is said to improve safety and operational efficiency.
