What is a Smart Bollard?

The Smart Bollard is similar to a standard bollard and is permanently installed on quays; however it measures the loads of the mooring lines on the bollard by sensing and translating structural movement caused by the mooring line tension. The actual data will be available for the port authority, terminal operator or the vessel itself.
 
Until now it was not possible to continuously measure mooring line loads of moored vessels. With vessels getting bigger it is important to have better insights in mooring loads. Real-time monitoring allows to monitor safety at berth and helps to avoid unsafe situations, like broken mooring lines and ships from drifting with all related consequences. Furthermore it increases a more efficient utilization of port assets and equipment. The design and technique of the Smart Bollard is unique and patented.