Port Planning and Analysis

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Modern port operations encompass a complex array of competing forces and influences. Each facility serves a unique combination of demands, in a unique physical setting, under unique commercial and institutional constraints. Achieving a balance between performance, productivity, and cost effectiveness requires a thorough, simultaneous examination of all issues.
Port terminal developers around the world face a variety of challenges that require expert planning and feasibility services. WSP’s Maritime consulting team can help port authorities and terminal operators evaluate, plan and develop efficient and modern terminals. We provide real-world expertise from a “big picture”, or detailed perspective, on state-of- the-art automated facilities or conventional terminals. Staying true to our focus on sustainability, we pay special attention to the marine environment in which the equipment will operate, while complying with prevailing requirements.

Planning port terminals using PRIME | Maritime (Port, Rail, Intermodal Modelling Engine)

Leveraging our extensive track record in maritime engineering, WSP has created a suite of tools for port, marine terminal, and intermodal rail terminal planning and analysis: the Port Rail Intermodal Modelling Engine– PRIME | Maritime. Planning port and rail facilities requires quick, accurate consideration of layouts and operating concepts. The ultimate goal is to arrive at a layout and operating plan that balances safety, capacity, productivity, flexibility, and a good return on investment, all within complex physical, institutional, regulatory, operational, and technical constraints.

Using PRIME | Maritime, we can rapidly develop a range of potential plans in response to any challenge. PRIME has components that accurately reflect the physical elements of container, break-neo bulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and RO/RO and passenger facilities. These elements embody our decades of experience in the practical design of safe, efficient facilities.
Once plans are developed, all of their physical characteristics are entered directly into PRIME’s analytical models. These models assess practical capacity, equipment requirements, flow parameters, resource utilisation, fuel and power demand, labour demand, and key environmental impacts. Using PRIME | Maritime, we can rapidly develop build-out plans targeted at a specific market demand, as well as the intermediate development phases required to complete the facility. By including development phasing, the PRIME tools allow close, dynamic analysis of the timing and magnitude of both initial and ongoing capital investments.

Container terminal automation

In today’s economic climate, there is a drive to increase efficiencies in order to handle larger vessels and increase container volumes, while in parallel needing to reduce the environmental impact of a terminal’s operation. Automation is increasingly the best solution. WSP has specific in-house expertise in developing and delivering automation within container terminals from initial feasibility and master planning through to detailed design. As your preferred partner, we will help you plan and develop your facility, taking into consideration the latest developments in automation.

Port navigation and berth deepening

We provide a comprehensive range of potential solutions for navigational and remediation-related dredging and berth deepening, as well as dredged material disposal options. The ever-changing international maritime sector is seeing increasingly larger vessels with greater capacity and deeper drafts.

At WSP we assess navigation needs based on environmental conditions, the type of vessels and the anticipated traffic flows. Through a detailed numerical model of environmental conditions (wind, waves, currents) and the details of ships that will use a planned channel, we can assess various route options and rank them in terms of navigation safety and security, with a view to minimising dredging volumes, costs, and environmental impacts. Within the port basins, we establish optimal layouts and sizing and inform dredging depths.

Mooring and navigational studies

At WSP we combine state of the art, industry leading software tools with in-house mathematical models to meet client specific requirements in this highly specialized field. We have extensive experience and expertise in the field of basin resonance, moored ship motions and response, and ship manoeuvring which are an essential part of the design of any new port or any extension to an existing port.

Port security planning & design

Port security is paramount to achieving a country’s national security goals. One of the most prominent issues of national security is securing the supply chains upon which countries, economies, and people depend on goods movement. We can provide our clients with comprehensive port facility security assessments, including threat and risk assessments and the design of mitigation strategies. We provide program management, infrastructure planning, design and construction management services coordinated with security assessments to secure cargo shipping from overseas points of origin to local destinations.

Port planning and analysis projects

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Port of Long Beach Strategic Land Use Study

The Port of Long Beach is preparing to meet the future by initiating a broad, long-term Land Use Study, using PRIME.

Long-term Container Traffic Forecasts for Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

WSP is providing ongoing commercial and advisory support to Vancouver Fraser Port Authority relating to container terminal facilities, with a detailed market study and long-term container forecasts.

Enterprise Asset Management for the Port of New York and New Jersey

WSP USA led the development of an Enterprise Asset Management Program and phase-out of a legacy system.

Port planning and analysis insights

Planning and Designing Next-Generation Dry Ports

Improving logistics efficiency in the maritime supply chain, enhancing decarbonization and mitigating environmental impact

Port Electrification for Container Operations and Vessels

Key considerations to scale up decarbonization efforts

Smart Port Planning - Breakwater Design Considerations

Breakwaters can be essential to protect ports and terminals from incident waves. Here are five parameters to consider when designing a breakwater.

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