Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MOSES (AutoMated Vessels and Supply Chain Optimisation for Sustainable Short SEa Shipping)
Période du rapport: 2020-07-01 au 2021-12-31
The EU’s objective to minimize the environmental footprint of transportation by creating a sustainable and efficient network by 2050 with the TEN-T Network policy, whose objectives include minimising the environmental footprint of transportation by shifting cargo from carbon-intensive, land-based modalities to more efficient modes. Short Sea Shipping (SSS) plays a key role in achieving the EU targets due to its ability to transport cargo cost-effectively and with a reduced environmental footprint. However, road and rail are preferred in many cases due to barriers related to infrastructure availability, lack of door-to-door delivery, integration with other transportation modes, complex cost structure, and delays related to logistics planning. In addition, SSS serves many small ports that are not integrated into the supply chain due to limited or no cargo-handling infrastructure, irregular demand, and the unavailability of 24/7 port services.
The main objective of the MOSES project is to create sustainable SSS feeder services to small ports with a two-fold strategy that consists of: 1) addressing problems associated with large containership operation in DSS ports of the TEN-T network, and 2) stimulating the participation of small ports with limited or no cargo handling infrastructure in the supply chain by creating new, sustainable feeder services. The specific objectives of MOSES are the following: Design an innovative, hybrid electric feeder vessel outfitted with a robotic container-handling system, Develop an automated system for reducing manoeuvring and docking time for DSS ports, Develop and promote the MOSES matchmaking platform to boost SSS, Reduce the environmental footprint for SSS services and port areas compared to other modes, Improve efficiency and end-to-end delivery times of SSS mode, Develop and upscale concrete business cases for SSS, Promote economic development of small ports with minimal investment.
The main objective of the MOSES project is to create sustainable SSS feeder services to small ports with a two-fold strategy that consists of: 1) addressing problems associated with large containership operation in DSS ports of the TEN-T network, and 2) stimulating the participation of small ports with limited or no cargo handling infrastructure in the supply chain by creating new, sustainable feeder services. The specific objectives of MOSES are the following: Design an innovative, hybrid electric feeder vessel outfitted with a robotic container-handling system, Develop an automated system for reducing manoeuvring and docking time for DSS ports, Develop and promote the MOSES matchmaking platform to boost SSS, Reduce the environmental footprint for SSS services and port areas compared to other modes, Improve efficiency and end-to-end delivery times of SSS mode, Develop and upscale concrete business cases for SSS, Promote economic development of small ports with minimal investment.
WP2 concluded with the definition of the concept of operations and the specifications for the MOSES innovations. The specifications were based on user needs and requirements, use case scenarios, and regulatory requirements regarding automated and autonomous vessels. In addition, a preliminary analysis of two business cases in Greece and Spain was conducted that resulted in the evaluation of the competitiveness of the MOSES innovations compared to existing transport solutions.
Within WP3, three working concept designs for the MOSES innovative feeder vessel have been developed, which include the specification of their hull form based on capacity requirements, the general arrangement including the positioning of the onboard robotic container-handling system, the type of engine and propulsion configuration including the required total power. For all three concept designs, a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) and estimation of their operational costs compared to the same costs of conventional designs were conducted.
For the MOSES Autonomous Tugboats (developed in WP4) the main results include the functional and physical architecture and the targeted level of autonomy for the autonomous tugboats and the virtual training environment that will be used for the AI navigation algorithms and which was configured within an established game engine that integrates physics simulation. The validation of the environment was based on specific test scenarios and exploited results from time-domain, CFD and FEA simulations and physical test data.
The main results from WP5 include the design and adaptation of the MOSES Automated Mooring System for compatibility with the Autonomous Tugboats and the Innovative Feeder. This innovation is a re-engineered version of Trelleborg’s AutoMoor system. The work conducted includes determining the specifications for the adaptation and designing a smaller scale AutoMoor unit.
For the MOSES Matchmaking Platform in WP6, the business logic has been determined and the initial business plan and sustainability model of the platform have been developed. The main result in the first reporting period is the alpha version of the platform, which is an operational prototype that includes the backbone, the user interface, and the integration of the different modules.
Within WP3, three working concept designs for the MOSES innovative feeder vessel have been developed, which include the specification of their hull form based on capacity requirements, the general arrangement including the positioning of the onboard robotic container-handling system, the type of engine and propulsion configuration including the required total power. For all three concept designs, a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) and estimation of their operational costs compared to the same costs of conventional designs were conducted.
For the MOSES Autonomous Tugboats (developed in WP4) the main results include the functional and physical architecture and the targeted level of autonomy for the autonomous tugboats and the virtual training environment that will be used for the AI navigation algorithms and which was configured within an established game engine that integrates physics simulation. The validation of the environment was based on specific test scenarios and exploited results from time-domain, CFD and FEA simulations and physical test data.
The main results from WP5 include the design and adaptation of the MOSES Automated Mooring System for compatibility with the Autonomous Tugboats and the Innovative Feeder. This innovation is a re-engineered version of Trelleborg’s AutoMoor system. The work conducted includes determining the specifications for the adaptation and designing a smaller scale AutoMoor unit.
For the MOSES Matchmaking Platform in WP6, the business logic has been determined and the initial business plan and sustainability model of the platform have been developed. The main result in the first reporting period is the alpha version of the platform, which is an operational prototype that includes the backbone, the user interface, and the integration of the different modules.
Compared to existing container feeder vessels, the MOSES feeder includes the following innovative features: hybrid electric engine configuration with methanol and fuel cell alternatives; lower design speed; enhanced manoeuvrability through azimuth thrusters; automated onboard crane, which is designed to perform autonomous cargo operations supported by a remote operator.
The existing attempts for developing autonomous tugboats have focused on remotely operated and partially autonomous single tugboats. The MOSES autonomous tugboats will be able to operate as a swarm (cooperatively) in order to support the manoeuvring and the docking/undocking processes of the mother vessel at her arrival/departure to/from the DSS port. In addition, the autonomous tugboats will be able to communicate with the MOSES Automated Mooring System (a re-engineered version of Trelleborg’s AutoMoor system) for ensuring the vessel is adequately positioned for docking.
The MOSES mooring system cooperates with the Autonomous Tugboats and the Tugboat Shore Control Station. Additional innovations of the mooring system include better control of vessel motions while at berth and the implementation of energy harvesting systems for minimising the environmental impact of the equipment during operation.
The Matchmaking Platform introduces new optimisation algorithms that support horizontal collaboration among freight forwarder and shippers while promoting alternative routes including short-sea-shipping. The platform does not rely on pure algorithmic selection of routes but introduces a hub-and-spoke model around key ports and makes use of business rules to eliminate unreasonable results.
The expected results until the end of the project include: a roadmap to fully autonomous operation of the Innovative Feeder; the Intelligent Operator Support System for the Robotic Container-Handling System with ; a business plan for the Matchmaking Platform; AI navigation algorithms for coordinating the Autonomous Tugboat Swarm and a conceptual design of a Shore Tugboat Control Station; specifications for the MOSES Recharging Station; the evaluation of the sustainability of the MOSES innovations; policy recommendations for reinforcing the position of SSS.
From the environmental perspective, MOSES is expected to reduce air emissions (incl. perceived noise) in the vicinity of ports and total emissions per transported TEU by exploiting green propulsion technologies and by stimulating the modal shift from container trucks to SSS by 10% in designated areas. The latter is also expected to decongest truck traffic in the vicinity of ports. From the efficiency perspective, MOSES will stimulate new, sustainable SSS feeder services to from large DSS ports to small ports that currently do not serve container vessels as an alternative to land-based transhipment. MOSES will also reduce the required time for port operations, reduce human-error related accidents, limit the dependence on port infrastructure, services, and personnel, and reduce end-to-end costs for container transport through SSS. By improving the efficiency of SSS services and port operations, MOSES is expected to enhance the overall performance of the TEN-T network.
The existing attempts for developing autonomous tugboats have focused on remotely operated and partially autonomous single tugboats. The MOSES autonomous tugboats will be able to operate as a swarm (cooperatively) in order to support the manoeuvring and the docking/undocking processes of the mother vessel at her arrival/departure to/from the DSS port. In addition, the autonomous tugboats will be able to communicate with the MOSES Automated Mooring System (a re-engineered version of Trelleborg’s AutoMoor system) for ensuring the vessel is adequately positioned for docking.
The MOSES mooring system cooperates with the Autonomous Tugboats and the Tugboat Shore Control Station. Additional innovations of the mooring system include better control of vessel motions while at berth and the implementation of energy harvesting systems for minimising the environmental impact of the equipment during operation.
The Matchmaking Platform introduces new optimisation algorithms that support horizontal collaboration among freight forwarder and shippers while promoting alternative routes including short-sea-shipping. The platform does not rely on pure algorithmic selection of routes but introduces a hub-and-spoke model around key ports and makes use of business rules to eliminate unreasonable results.
The expected results until the end of the project include: a roadmap to fully autonomous operation of the Innovative Feeder; the Intelligent Operator Support System for the Robotic Container-Handling System with ; a business plan for the Matchmaking Platform; AI navigation algorithms for coordinating the Autonomous Tugboat Swarm and a conceptual design of a Shore Tugboat Control Station; specifications for the MOSES Recharging Station; the evaluation of the sustainability of the MOSES innovations; policy recommendations for reinforcing the position of SSS.
From the environmental perspective, MOSES is expected to reduce air emissions (incl. perceived noise) in the vicinity of ports and total emissions per transported TEU by exploiting green propulsion technologies and by stimulating the modal shift from container trucks to SSS by 10% in designated areas. The latter is also expected to decongest truck traffic in the vicinity of ports. From the efficiency perspective, MOSES will stimulate new, sustainable SSS feeder services to from large DSS ports to small ports that currently do not serve container vessels as an alternative to land-based transhipment. MOSES will also reduce the required time for port operations, reduce human-error related accidents, limit the dependence on port infrastructure, services, and personnel, and reduce end-to-end costs for container transport through SSS. By improving the efficiency of SSS services and port operations, MOSES is expected to enhance the overall performance of the TEN-T network.