Smart Bollard

Smart Bollard

The Smart Bollard is a bollard that exactly measures what forces are released when large sea-going vessels are moored at the quays. When force is applied to the bollard, it moves very slightly. A sensor measures the force and sends the results directly to the Port. With the Smart Bollard, safety can be monitored in real time and the Port will get a better insight into which ships can moor at which quays.

Why a Smart Bollard?

Until now it has not been possible to measure the strain on mooring lines. The lack of exact data measured on moored vessels means that Ports have to assume maximum mooring loads. With ships getter bigger and heavier it’s important to have a better insight on mooring loads based on facts and figures.

Benefits of the Smart Bollard

The Smart Bollard gives a better understanding of the mooring forces involved.

Real time monitoring of safety. Quicker actions can be taken if things go wrong with a ship at the quay.

The Smart Bollard also measures the angle and direction. This gives the port better insight in the use of the quay. For example, it will give an answer to the question: Is the use of tug boats, holding the ship to the side, in certain occasions really necessary?

The collected data will provide a clearer picture of which vessels can moor at which quays.

In the near future, the captain of the ship will have insight in the information. This way he can take immediate action in case of a dangerous situation.

Trial at Port of Rotterdam

Straatman developed the Smart Bollard together with Port of Rotterdam. Along the quay of ECT Delta Terminal, the Port of Rotterdam has installed the Smart bollard as part of a trial. The product is in line with the ports policy of making the port more efficient through digitisation. Next step will be to install the Smart Bollards on a large scale along the quays of the Port of Rotterdam. Read the Press release Port of Rotterdam for more information.