Trelleborg berthing aid reduces accident risk

Based on its established Smartdock DAS fixed laser approach system, the Smartdock LITE will help establish safe berthing speeds in multiple locations.

The system can also be specified with a traffic light warning system to aid pilots of large vessels where the bow is out of the line of sight.

The system is currently operating in the Port of Rotterdam as part of a PIANC working group investigation into berthing speeds and fender designs.

Simon Wilson, managing director of Trelleborg Marine Systems Melbourne, said: “Having real-time data on actual berthing speeds is almost like having an insurance policy. It could be a primary piece of evidence to substantiate whether a shipping line has failed to comply with local regulations, or not.

“But much more than that, it will also aid the pilot during the berthing process to ensure that collisions don’t arise in the first place, let alone escalate into a fully blown dispute. We have to acknowledge that in today’s busy ports pilots are under significant stress and the trend towards larger vessel sizes can only increase the risk of costly incidents occurring.”