Ship Mooring Methodology Designed for Ship Berthing in Extremely Limited Conditions

In some ports, there are separate very narrow places between the quays and other navigational obstacles, where the distance between the quays or between the quays and navigational obstacles is very small. Narrow gaps or channels in the water area, where quays are built and ships are berthing, make it difficult for ships to berth at such quays. Accurate knowledge of a ship’s manoeuvrability characteristics, combined with the application of these characteristics in berthing operations and the optimal use of tugboat capabilities, allows for better utilization of restricted port spaces. The article presents a developed ship berthing methodology designed for ship berthing in extremely limited conditions, utilizing the ship’s manoeuvrability capabilities and maximizing the capabilities of tugboats when mooring ships in extremely limited conditions. The developed methodology was tested with real ships and tugboats in specific port conditions and using calibrated simulators, and the results of the experimental research and theoretical calculations are presented in the article as a case study. The research results (methodology) obtained and presented in the article can be applied to any ships and ports, precisely adapting them to specific port situations. The article studies ship manoeuvrability and tugboat capabilities under various hydrometeorological and hydrological conditions, assesses the impact of shallow depths (shallowness), and determines the boundary conditions for ship berthing.