The Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) has successfully developed an advanced automated mooring system aimed at enhancing the safety and efficiency of docking operations for autonomous vessels. Designed to overcome the limitations of conventional wire-based mooring methods, this innovative system is projected to be commercially available by 2025, significantly contributing to the progress of smart port technology, reports KIMM.
The research team led by Dr. Yongjin Kim, principal researcher in the Department of Reliability at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) under President Seog-Hyeon Ryu combined vacuum suction pads with a flexible hydraulic mechanism to ensure safe and precise docking without requiring manual intervention.
Previously, workers secured vessels to the port manually using thick mooring lines. This method required high tensile strength, depending on the ship’s size and weight. If the wire broke, there was a risk of accidents, and the manual mooring process demanded substantial manpower and time.
Mooring system
The automated mooring system developed by KIMM addresses these challenges directly. By utilizing vacuum suction pads for secure attachment and a hydraulic system for automated control, the new technology streamlines the mooring process, increasing both speed and accuracy while reducing accident risks and labor needs.
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Source: Kimm
