Evaluation of Environmental, Economic and Safety Impacts of Main Engine Failures of Terminal Tugboats by Fuzzy AHP and Fuzzy TOPSIS Methods

Marine terminals have an important place in the global crude oil supply. Tugboats are one of the major components for marine terminals. Safe and trouble-free operation of tugboats is of critical importance. In this study, a risk analysis was performed by considering the safety, environmental and economic effects of main engine failures for a tugboat operating in a crude oil terminal. In this context, firstly, the importance levels of safety, environmental and economic criteria were determined with the fuzzy AHP method. Then, the risk ranking was carried out for 26 failure modes with the fuzzy TOPSIS method by considering the safety, environmental and economic effects together. The results showed that the most important risk parameter for the marine terminal was safety, followed by economic and environmental parameters. Then, the risk ranking of failure modes was performed with the fuzzy TOPSIS by considering the importance weights of the risk parameter, and the riskiest failure was determined as fuel line leakage. This was followed by air filter blockage and back pressure in the exhaust system, respectively. This study provides a comprehensive risk assessment for tugboats operating in a crude oil terminal and is expected to be an important guide for the relevant stakeholders.