Smart Bollard

What is a Smart Bollard?

A Smart Bollard, although reminiscent of a typical bollard on a ship, boasts enhanced functionalities. It's a permanent fixture on docks and measures the load on mooring lines. It achieves this by detecting and interpreting structural movements instigated by the tension in the mooring line. Pertinent data is subsequently made accessible to the port authority, terminal operators, or even the vessel itself. The Smart Bollard proves its compatibility with a plethora of seagoing vessels, encompassing both container and bulk carriers. 

Why a Smart Bollard?

Historically, quantifying the load on mooring lines has been challenging. This data void compelled ports to make assumptions regarding maximum mooring loads. Given the dire consequences of mooring line failure - which includes potential ship detachment leading to significant accidents - it's pivotal for the Port Authority and Terminal Operator to grasp the exact nuances of mooring line behaviours, particularly during turbulent weather conditions. 

The introduction of the Smart Bollard offers a solution to this problem. It elevates mooring safety by providing a real-time insight into the mooring lines' loads and fosters an in-depth understanding of mooring forces. The advanced MoorControl software offers transparent data presentation, benefitting terminal operators, port authorities, and vessel proprietors. This influx of data contributes to the port's optimised functionality. As vessels continue to grow in size and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, garnering profound insights into mooring loads is paramount. 

Smart Bollard's prowess doesn't end with merely monitoring. It accumulates data, facilitating the Port's efficiency while ensuring safety during vessel mooring. 

An intuitive dashboard displays: 

• Bollard load 
• Mooring line direction and angle 
• Tide level 
• Ambient weather conditions 
• Vessel's historical data (sourced from AIS data) 

Moreover, system administrators can seamlessly onboard users and initiate alarms, thanks to its user-friendly interface. A built-in API ensures comprehensive data access, fostering integration into other systems, with all the information being made available to the Port Authority, terminal operators, and vessel proprietors.

Benefits of the Smart Bollard

The Smart Bollard offers myriad advantages: 

• Safety: Real-time monitoring enhances safety precautions, forecasting forces and offering instantaneous load data.  
• Efficiency: By providing a comprehensive understanding of mooring forces, vessel movement is optimised. 
• Port Capacity: Insights into quay capabilities may enable the mooring of even larger vessels. 
• Resource Optimisation: Gathered data and forecasted forces might reduce the requirement for costly resources such as tugs.  
• Data Use: Amassed data can guide port improvement projects and the continuous improvement of operations.