The Lamanage Co-operative and the Le Havre Harbour Master’s Office are pioneering a new approach to vessel mooring.

Having been tested and approved, the ShoreTension system improves safety and enhances the stability of vessels at berth by preventing heeling. The new system is set to be rolled out across all Le Havre terminals affected by tidal movements.

Initially, the Harbour Master’s Office carried out a series of measurements on ships using centimetre-accurate GPS. This phase confirmed abnormal movements of up to 10 metres. The Harbour Master’s Office and the Mooring Department then sought a technical solution suited to the Port 2000 environment.

They opted for the dynamic mooring tensioning system, known as the ShoreTension® System (STS), marketed by KRVE.

A trial phase that proved successful

Thanks to a collaborative effort involving HAROPA PORT, Le Lamanage du Havre and the entire port community, the dynamic mooring reinforcement system was trialled from September 2021 to January 2023.

Analysis of the trials has shown that this system is effective in several respects:

• Heeling is reduced to less than one metre for all types of vessel and under all possible conditions, thereby significantly improving the vessels’ stability whilst berthed;

• The ‘water alert’ procedure, designed to ensure the rapid evacuation of personnel on board and on the quay, has been improved;

• The risk of mooring line breakage is considerably reduced, minimising the risk of a vessel drifting. Operations are maintained and the risk of pollution is averted.

The new system records data remotely, enabling real-time monitoring of the tension on the mooring line.

This innovative tool also offers great flexibility, as it can be positioned at any point along the quay and on any vessel or floating craft. It is self-contained and requires no power whilst in operation.

HAROPA PORT has successfully created the conditions for the roll-out of the ShoreTension® system by sharing experience gained during trials with the Harbour Master’s Office, the Mooring Service, the Pilotage Service, shipping companies and cargo-handling operators.

A first for a French port

HAROPA PORT is the first French port to install a dynamic mooring reinforcement system, which is now clearly recognised throughout the port community thanks to the trials carried out.

Addressing the risks affecting the safety of ships at berth, this solution is set to be rolled out extensively in the coming months.

The Le Lamanage team at the Port of Le Havre is a pioneer in this field and is working to develop this solution in cooperation with other French ports.

Source: HAROPA 5 April 2023 / Mer et Marine 4 April 2023 – Photo credit: HAROPA PORT