MoorMaster

Automated Mooring

Inspired Engineering

State of the art technology

MoorMaster is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that eliminates the need for conventional mooring
lines. Remote controlled vacuum pads, recessed in, or mounted on the quayside and attached to hydraulic actuated
arms, extend, attach and moor ships in a few seconds.
Cavotec MoorMaster provided PHPA with a solution to a defined technical problem i.e. fitting a
mini cape into a Panamax space. The system has proven to be a great success to date and allowed improved
productivity, safety and risk management strategies. Innovative and the leading edge of changing maritime
technological solutions
John Finch
A/GM Operations - Harbour Master, Port Hedland Port Authority

Time is money
Save between 20 to 90 minutes
for mooring your vessel as
MoorMaster requires only 25
to 40 seconds for mooring, and
just 10 to 20 seconds to detach
(Conventional mooring normally
takes between 20 and 90 minutes
and involves mooring gangs,
ships crews, pilots and tugs).

OPERATION PRODUCTIVITY
& SAFETY
1 man operation with either a
single port officer or the captain
himself equipped with Cavotec
remote control for your modern
and safe mooring operation.
Automatic adaptation to tidal and
draft changes which enables the
client to better use of personal
which are not any more required
in high-risk working zones.

INFRASTRUCTURE COST SAVINGS

MoorMaster units are designed to hold the vessel at a preset distance from
uncompressed fenders. Furthermore, the units only attach to the parallel body
of the ship, giving possibility of berth overhang. The need for berth extensions
or mooring dolphins may therefore be eliminated in some cases.

Cavotec MoorMaster represents a major asset for our port developments in fastening our operations and turnaround
times which will help us improving the reliability and quality of our service for the benefit of our customers. This mooring
system is a unique and innovative technology which has been adopted by our company in order to support our strategy
in integrating more efficient and reliable systems for our ferry services.
Hans Henrik Simonsen
Fleet Manager, Danske Frger A/S

Cavotec has demonstrated great versatility, creativity and adaptability in developing and delivering a product tailored
to our unique marine environment.
Benoit Nolet
Manager, Transit of the Future St-Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation

A PROVEN REVENUE BOOSTER

MoorMaster improves operational efficiency and reduces environmental impact. Sophisticated electronic hydraulic
controls minimise vessel movement (surge, sway and yaw) to maintain the vessels position with millimetre accuracy.
MoorMaster units can also be used to warp the vessel position without the need for ships own steam or with the
help of tugs.

CORE ELEMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
STRATEGIC PLANS
Vessels using MoorMaster
are all secure far more quickly
than those using conventional
means, enabling them to shut
down their engines sooner and
reduce the amount of time tugs
are required. MoorMaster
thus has a positive effect on air
quality in ports.

PERMANENT ONLINE
MONITORING &
VISUALISATION
MoorMaster incorporates
continuous load monitoring
and sophisticated alarm
functions relayed in real time to
operations personnel onshore,
onboard and/or in port control
office. Alerts can be sent to
pagers, mobile phones and
other devices.

Advantages & Benefits

PORT
Faster vessel-turnaround enables larger number of ship calls.
Cargo and crew transfer can start earlier.
Increased cargo throughput.
Improved utilisation of tug fleet: tugs leave ships much earlier and return just prior to departure.
Mooring gangs not required.
Improved utilisation of terminal length if berthing distances reduced.
Vessels longer than berths can be moored with overhang, enabling substantial savings on quay
extensions or dolphin investments.
Restricted waterways not disturbed.
In some cases, MoorMaster may eliminate the need for breakwater construction.
Personnel safety improved.
Personal injuries during mooring reduced to a minimum.
Potential reduction in insurance premiums.
Mooring load status constantly monitored and event logs can be reviewed.
Less wear and tear on fenders.
Cargo operation less dependent on weather conditions.
Vessel creep during port stay eliminated.
Improved service for shippers.
Reduced use of the vessels propulsion system and of tugs and line boats diminishes fuel
consumption and emissions.
Faster connection to shore power, where available.
Aid for development of STS Automation.
SHIP
Potential slower cruise speeds for vessels.
Cargo and crew transfer can start earlier.
Improved utilisation of pilots time: pilots are able to disembark immediately after the fast mooring
and return just prior to departure.
Ships crew can use their time for more productive jobs and keep uninterrupted rest hours.
Reduction of ships crews, especially for vessels on dedicated and high frequency routes.
No need for crew to modify rope arrangements due to tidal and draft changes.
Improved personnel safety.
Mooring loads and status known at all times.
Less wear and tear on ropes, winches and ships hulls and plating.
Automatic repositioning facility results in fuel savings for vessels.
Reduced use of the vessels propulsion system and of tugs during berthing diminishes fuel
consumption and emissions.

MoorMaster references
MoorMaster first entered service in 1999 at a ferry application in New Zealand. At this point, MoorMaster was a
bold challenge to thousands of years of conventional mooring methods.
Today, MoorMaster is a widely accepted technology that has performed some 40,000 mooring operations, with a
100 per cent safety record, at ferry, bulk handling, Ro-Ro, container and lock applications all around the world.
Cavotec engineers continue to develop MoorMaster and are perfecting new ways the technology can be used to
improve safety, operational efficiency and realise infrastructure savings.

In operation
Installation pending

Salalah, Oman

Devonport, Australia

11

Hov, Denmark

10

Melbourne, Australia

11

Slvig, Denmark

10

Picton, New Zealand

12

Port Hedland, Australia

15

St. Lawrence Seaway, The Great Lakes, Canada

16

Dampier, Australia
Geraldton, Australia
Spodsbjerg, Denmark
Taars, Denmark
Wellington, New Zealand
5

Salalah, Oman
Product:
MoorMaster 400 (trial)
Vessel names: Various
Type:
Shore-based
LOA: Up to 362m
Capacity:
Two x 400kN = 80 tonnes
Route: Global
In operation: Trialled 2005
Operator: Maersk A.O.
Moorings:
Several per day
Owner: Cavotec

Omans Port of Salalah installed

two MoorMaster 400 units at a
container berth on a trial basis in
September 2005. The six-week
trial was designed to measure the
MoorMaster systems ability to
reduce the surge motion caused
by long waves on container

vessels of up to 347 metres LOA,

8,000 TEUs, and 110,000 tonne
displacement. During the annual
Khareef season, productivity at
Salalah is reduced by long period
wave motion, as vessels are
forced to reposition during loading
and discharging operations.

The tests showed MoorMaster

reduces vessel motion from
some three metres to less than
10 centimetres, representing
substantial productivity gains in
comparison to traditional mooring
techniques.

Salalah, Oman
Product:
MM200C
Vessel names: Various
Type:
Front mounted
LOA: Container vessels up to 362m
Capacity:
12 x 200kN = 240 tonnes
Route: Global
In operation: Since 2009
Operator: AMP Terminals
Moorings:
3-4 per week
Owner: Port of Salalah

MoorMaster automated mooring

systems are in use at the Port of
Salalah at two of the ports six
container berths, where they moor
vessels of up to 362m LOA. The
most recent installation has a
holding force of 2,400kN, provided
by 12 x MM200 units. The primary
reason for the Port of Salalah to
use vacuum mooring is to dampen

vessel surge motion that occurs

during the Khareef season,
when surges up to +/- 2.5m
occur with rope mooring. Cargo
handling efficiency tends to drop
dramatically, by between 30 and
40 per cent, during this period.
MoorMaster holds vessels in a
stable position (50-100mm) and
also eliminates vessel creep, thus

maintaining operational efficiency.

Due to the speed of operation of
the MoorMaster units - attaching
in 25 seconds and detaching in ten
- the port is able to optimise the
use of pilots and tugs, as both are
able to leave vessels earlier and
return later. Major shipping lines
such as MSC and Maersk use
these berths.

Salalah, Oman
Product:
MoorMaster 600
Vessel names: Various
Type:
Shore-based
LOA: Up to 350m
Capacity:
Four x 600kN = 240 tonnes
Route: Global
In operation: Since 2006
Operator: APM Terminals
Moorings:
3-4 times per week
Owner: The Port of Salalah

Following the success of

trials carried out in 2005, the
Port of Salalah installed four
MoorMaster 600s at a berth
servicing container

vessels of up to 350 metres LOA

and 130,000 tonnes displacement.
MoorMaster has proven to be
an extremely efficient tool for the
control and reduction of vessel

motion, dramatically improving

productivity through time savings
during berthing, loading and
departure.

Dover, UK
Product:
MoorMaster 800 (trial)
Vessel names: Various
Type:
Shore-based
LOA:
Up to 185m
Capacity:
One x 800kN = 80 tonnes
Route:
Dover Calais
In operation: Trialled 2005-07
Operator:
P&O, the Dover Harbour Board (DHB)
Moorings:
Up to 12 per day
Owner:
DHB

In June 2005 Cavotec ran trials

of the worlds most powerful
automated mooring unit, the
MoorMaster 800, at a newly
constructed berth at the Port of
Dover in the United Kingdom.
The busiest ferry port in Northern
Europe, the Port of Dovers Berth
8 is used by Ro-Pax ferries of

up to 185 metres length overall.

Conditions at the port are frequently
severe; with winds reaching 60 knots
and one metre swell heights at berth.
During the trial the MoorMaster
800 successfully performed some
750 mooring operations, illustrating
the effectiveness of MoorMaster
automated mooring in the face of

large tidal variations and extreme

environmental conditions. In 2007,
after 750 successful moorings the
trial was terminated and the unit was
decommissioned. It is expected that
implementation of MM200 based
systems will be part of the future
port development plans.

Hov/Slvig, Denmark
Product: MoorMaster400
Vessel names: Kanhave
Type: Shore-based
LOA: 91m
Capacity: Two x 400kN = 80 tonnes
Route: Hov Slvig (Sams)
In operation: Since 2009
Operator: Samstrafikken
Moorings: 14 per day
Owner: Nordic Ferry Services (NFS)

With short turnaround times

and limited crew numbers, NFS
sought to automate as many
procedures as possible following
the introduction of a new-build,
91 metre long passenger ferry
running between Hov on the
Danish mainland and Slvig on

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the island of Sams. The two

MoorMaster400s installed in
each modified port now make
mooring safe, even in severe
weather, within 25 seconds, via a
remote control system housed in
the ships bridge. MoorMasters
repositioning capabilities

automatically adjust to tidal

conditions and infrastructure,
ensuring the vessel is constantly
in optimal position. The ships hull
is also better protected because
MoorMaster continuously holds
the vessel at a preset distance from
the fender line.

Melbourne & Devonport,

Australia
Product:
MoorMaster400
Vessel names: Searoad Tamar, Searoad Mersey
Type:
Shore-based
LOA: 118m, 149m
Capacity:
Four x 400kN = 160 tonnes
Route: Melbourne Devonport
In operation: Since 2003
Operator: Searoad Holdings Pty Ltd
Moorings:
One per day
Owner: Searoad Holdings Pty Ltd

MoorMaster automated mooring

technology first saw service in
Australia at the port of Melbourne,
on a dedicated berth used by
two Ro-Ro vessels; the Searoad
Tamar, (149 metres, 13,697 tonnes
displacement), and the Searoad
Mersey, (118 metres, 7,928 tonnes
displacement). This shore-based
MoorMaster variant consists

11

of four MoorMaster 400 units,

each rated at 40 tonnes. The
units are positioned in pairs,
forward and aft of the amidships
line. Similar to the MoorMaster
systems employed at Picton, New
Zealand, these MoorMaster400s
are activated from the bridge
wing, extending to attach to the
ships hull. To accommodate

displacement caused by
local tide variations and draft
change, this system employs
the patented stepping method.
The application also offers the
considerable advantage of being
able to shift vessels along the
berth. The system has been in
daily operation since 2003.

Picton, New Zealand

Product: MoorMaster I-400
Vessel name: Aratere
Type: Ship-based
LOA: 150m
Capacity: Four x 200kN = 80 tonnes
Route: Picton Wellington
In operation: 1998-2009
Operator: Interisland Line Ltd
Moorings: Three per day
Owner: Toll NZ Ltd

The very first MoorMaster

automated mooring system, the
MoorMaster I-400, was installed
on the rail passenger ferry Aratere
in 1997. The Aratere has an LOA
of 150 metres, and 12,000 tonnes
displacement. Four MoorMaster
units are positioned on the vessel,

12

with two units forward and two aft.

Each unit is rated at 20 tonnes.
The units are activated from the
bridge wing; and extend through
hull doors to attach to movable
steel plates on the pier face.
The I-MoorMaster has performed
over 17,000 automated moorings

to date, delivering a safer port

environment, time savings,
reduced expenditure on fuel, and
the elimination of wear on ropes
and winches.

Picton, New Zealand

Product:
MoorMaster 400
Vessel name: Aratere
Type:
Shore-based
LOA:
150m
Capacity:
One x 400kN = 40 tonnes
Route:
Picton Wellington
In operation: 2002-05
Operator:
Toll Shipping Pty Ltd
Moorings:
Three per day
Owner:
Cavotec

Introduced in 2002, the

MoorMaster 400 automated
mooring system is Cavotecs first
shore based MoorMaster, and
exerts a holding capacity of 40

13

tonnes, the equivalent to a large

harbour tug.
Controlled from the bridge wing,
the unit extends from the quayside
and attaches to the hull. Safe, fast,

and reliable, the MoorMaster

400 quickly secures and releases
the Aratere, three times a day,
every day.

Picton, New Zealand

Product:
MoorMaster 400
Vessel name: Kaitaki
Type:
Shore-based
LOA:
181m
Capacity:
Two x 400kN = 80 tonnes
Route:
Picton Wellington
In operation: Since 2005
Operator:
Toll Shipping Pty Ltd
Moorings:
Three per day
Owner:
Toll Shipping Pty Ltd

The introduction of a new, longer

vessel for the Picton to Wellington
route in 2005 required the
extension of the Picton pier
if conventional mooring ropes
were used.

14

Avoiding the cost of extending

the pier by at least 60 meters
or driving piles for mooring
platforms, Toll Shipping opted to
install two MoorMaster 400 units
at the end of the pier. Picton now

enjoys the benefits of safe, swift

and efficient operations, while
having also made considerable
capital expenditure savings.

Port Hedland, Australia

Product:
MM200
Vessels: Large bulk carriers up to LOA 295m
Type: Front mounted
Capacity:
14 x 200kN = 280 tonnes
Route: Global
In operation: Since October 2010
Operator: Port Hedland Port Authority
Moorings: 1 every second day
Owner: PHPA

Fourteen MoorMaster MM200

units, with a total capacity
of 2,800kN, spaced at 14m
intervals, are installed at Port
Hedland in Western Australia. The
MoorMaster units moor dry bulk
carriers of up to 135 kdwt,
295m LOA.
The units and vessels at the 270m
long berth, located at the harbour
mouth, are exposed to strong tidal

15

currents and hydrodynamic effects

created by passing ships.
The maximum size of vessels (LOA
295m) is longer than the berth
itself that was originally designed
for LOA 200m bulk carriers.
MoorMaster has thus enabled
the PHPA to accept larger
vessels and thereby increase
capacity without the need for
costly infrastructure investment.

Furthermore, MoorMaster
comprehensively addresses
critical personnel and vessel safety
concerns of the PHPA. These
MoorMaster units are built to
withstand the harsh environmental
conditions at the port: up to 2kn
current, 7m tidal variations, vast
amounts of fine iron ore dust and
extreme heat (+45C).

St. Lawrence Seaway,

The Great Lakes, Canada
Product: MoorMaster 200LS
Vessel names: Various lakers
Type: Shore-based
LOA: Up to 200m
Capacity: Four x 200kN = 80 tonnes
Route: Global
In operation:
Since 2007
Operator:
The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC)
Moorings:
Several per day
Owner:
SLSMC

The St. Lawrence Seaway, a vital

trade link between Canadas
Great Lakes and the Atlantic
Ocean, has become the worlds
first inland waterway to replace
mooring ropes and cables with
the MoorMaster, cutting vessel
transit time and creating a safer

16

environment for those working

on ships and shore-side. In a
ground breaking application for
MoorMaster automated mooring
technology, Cavotec designed a
prototype MoorMaster system
consisting of two MM200LS
units for use in the St. Lawrence

Seaway lock system in 2007.

Successful trials led to the
installation of an additional two
MoorMaster units for use in
this deep lock, with a water level
variation of 14 metres.

We are present in
Ireland
Italy
Lebanon
Luxemburg
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Peru
Qatar
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Spain

Sweden
Switzerland
U.A.E.
U.K.
U.S.A.

For more information please visit our website www.cavotec.com

or contact us directly at [email protected]

May 2011 X2EN MMREF 00

Australia
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
India