Risk assessment of collisions of an autonomous passenger ferry

Autonomous transportation is an increasingly popular concept and is gradually becoming a reality. This transformation also changes the way people travel. For example, the autonomous ferry is an emerging alternative for residents living in coastal areas. To evaluate the safety of an autonomous ferry, a thorough safety review is necessary. This paper makes an initial attempt by developing a model for performing a risk assessment of collisions between an autonomous ship with manned vessels and applying this to a specific ferry operating in a canal. The safety barriers to prevent a collision are identified, as well as the respective failure modes. A Bayesian belief network is employed to model the collision and to quantitively assess the collision risk of the autonomous ferry. Relevant data are collected to perform a quantitative risk analysis. By running the model, the likelihood of a collision is calculated. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to identify the most contributing causes.

System alternatives for modular, zero-emission high-speed ferries

Low emission requirements exert increasing influence upon ship design. The large variety of technological options makes selecting systems during the conceptual design phase a difficult endeavor. To compare different solutions, we need to be able to exchange individual systems and directly evaluate their impact on the design’s economic and environmental performance. Based on the idea of model-based systems engineering, we present a modular synthesis approach for ship systems. The modules are coupled to a discrete event simulation and allow for a case-based assessment of system configurations. We apply this method to a high-speed passenger ferry and show how it can provide decision support for hydrogen- and battery-based system architectures.

Implementation of Zero Emission Fast Shortsea Shipping

The paper describes the implementation of state-of-the-art “Industry 4.0” methods and tools, a holistic ship design optimization and modular production methods, as well as advanced battery technologies to enable a fully electrical, fast zero-emission waterborne urban transport. The design of a fast catamaran passenger ferry demonstrator planned for operation as a waterborne shuttle in the Stavanger/Norway area and of a replicator for operation at Thames River/London are elaborated, including infrastructural issues for their operation. The presented research is in the frame of the H2020 funded project “TrAM – Transport: Advanced and Modular” (www.tramproject.eu)

Low Friction Recoating Performance Improvements Aboard A Passenger Ferry

In recent years, there have been many technological advancements to support greener vessel operations and improved performance. The National Research Council of Canada evaluated the effect of a low friction hull coating from both a fuel consumption and power savings perspective. To quantify the variation in both fuel and power, an analysis methodology was adopted from the ISO 19030 standard for measuring the change in hull and propeller performance. The results of this analysis indicated that between 17.5 and 20.5 knots the power required to achieve cruising speed decreased by an average of 3.56% subsequent to the hull recoat. This translates to a fuel consumption reduction of 3.27% within the same speed range. The improvements in performance were most notable at 20.5 knots.

Ferry M/V Kramer noise mitigation

The Motor Vessel (M/V) Edward V. Kramer is an aluminum vessel that operates as a small passenger ferry, which is owned and operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and used to transport DHS personnel and materials to Plum Island, NY. It was placed in service in 2018 and right from the start the sound levels inside the Main Deck compartment were found to be excessive. The original vessel specification included a noise limit of 75 dBA in the Main Deck Passenger Lounge and measured levels were as high as 87 dBA. A ship survey of sound and vibration was performed. Noise predictions to determine the controlling sound paths was also performed based on engine sound and vibration source levels. Recommendations for mitigation were presented and carried out by another shipyard. Mitigation included vibration isolation of the main engines and sound attenuation improvements to the Main Deck Passenger Lounge. After completion of the modifications, another survey was performed in 2021 and results show a reduction by as much as 11 dB in the Main Deck Passenger lounge. Noise estimation methods and details on the noise control treatments are given in the paper.

Multifunctional cargo and freight ferry line as a new business model, an innovative transport service and unique offer in the most sought-after segments of commercial realty in Moscow

The reduction of the internal cargo water transport and almost full termination of water cargo transport in the city of Moscow in favour of passenger, mostly recreational connections press to search new transport und technological solutions, which are compliant to modern demands of freight owners and passengers. The article analyzes the needs of the transport market if the Moscow region and propose to consider the concept of a multifunctional freight and passenger ferry, which propose a new technological solution for integration of the river in the freight and passenger logistic of the city. Along with the non-standard packing of the ferry the most important highlight of his work is a new model of profit making. The ferry line goes through the city center und this turns his two decks and the hold in profitable commercial spaces, the profit from which can compensate the most part of operation costs of the shipping company.