Survey and Analysis on Safety of Ship Mooring Operations in Japanese Ports Facing Open Seas

Abstract

Ships have two major roles, namely navigation in oceans and cargo handling in ports. Various factors must be considered to maintain the safety of ships in all situations, from oceans to ports. The case of ferry ports was already presented by the authors. However, some important factors are still unknown, and thus, a nationwide survey is conducted to clarify them. The first survey is a questionnaire, in which responders point out various problems that prevent the maintenance of safety in ports. In particular, there are many ports with insufficient facilities because of the financial deficit. There are also differences in awareness on how to improve the current situation between the shipping companies (users) and local governments (port managers). The second survey, interviews during visits, is conducted in three ports. Detailed situations regarding mooring difficulties are detected. Those points are summarized with the aim to improve safety considering the standards of port planning under a financial deficit situation.

An assessment of the capacity and the performance of marine services in South Africa’s ports

“…Marine and nautical services in South Africa's ports commence as the ship crosses the port boundary (National Ports Act 2005). The ship announces its arrival to vessel traffic control as it crosses the port boundary and is allocated an appropriate position inside the port limits area that could mean either anchoring, drifting, waiting for berth availability or proceeding to the port entrance to receive the pilot (Sasa, Mitsui & Tamura 2018). All commercial ships visiting South African ports must be allocated local pilots, harbour tugboats and mooring gangs to facilitate the safe docking of the ships in the ports (National Ports Act 2005).…”