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  3. Transport & Infrastructure
  4. Maritime Industry
  5. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Planning and Designing Next-Generation Dry Ports

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

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Port Electrification for Container Operations and Vessels

Key considerations to scale up decarbonization efforts

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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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Frequently asked questions

What challenges does modern port planning need to address?

Modern port operations must balance performance, productivity, safety, cost effectiveness, sustainability, and regulatory compliance—often within tight physical, environmental, and institutional constraints. Each port faces a unique combination of market demand, vessel characteristics, environmental conditions, and stakeholder requirements, making integrated planning and feasibility analysis essential.

How does WSP support port and terminal planning?

WSP helps port authorities and terminal operators evaluate, plan, and develop efficient, future-ready terminals through feasibility studies, master planning, operational analysis, and phased development strategies. Our teams bring real-world experience across automated and conventional terminals, ensuring solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with sustainability and marine environmental requirements.

What is PRIME | Maritime and how is it used in port planning?

PRIME | Maritime (Port, Rail, Intermodal Modelling Engine) is WSP’s proprietary planning and analysis tool used to evaluate port, marine terminal, and intermodal rail facilities. PRIME allows rapid testing of layouts and operating concepts to balance safety, capacity, productivity, flexibility, and return on investment within complex physical, operational, and regulatory constraints.

What types of terminals and operations can PRIME | Maritime analyze?

PRIME | Maritime models container, break-bulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk, Ro-Ro, and passenger terminals. It assesses practical capacity, equipment needs, traffic flows, resource utilization, energy demand, labor requirements, and key environmental impacts—supporting both ultimate build-out scenarios and phased development strategies tied to market demand.

How does WSP address automation, navigation, and security in port planning?

WSP integrates container terminal automation, navigation and berth deepening studies, mooring and maneuvering analyses, and port security planning into a single planning framework. Using numerical modelling and risk-based assessments, we help clients accommodate larger vessels, minimize dredging volumes and environmental impacts, and design secure, resilient port infrastructure that supports long-term operational efficiency.

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