Thirty one hours: turning a 9,200 TEU ship around
From the pilot boarding at the fairway buoy to the last lashing bar, the timetable behind one call of MV Kola Meridian (an example vessel).
Hour 0: the pilot
The pilot boards four nautical miles out and takes the ship up the channel with two tugs. Our harbour master has had the berth window since the ship left its last port a week ago.
Hour 2: all fast
Eight mooring lines go out, gangway down, and the first crane is over bay 2 within fifteen minutes. Five cranes work the ship together, planned so they never cross.
Five cranes, two thousand nine hundred moves, no crossing paths.
Hours 3 to 28: the moves
Two thousand nine hundred moves, discharge and load interleaved so cranes rarely travel empty. Yard tractors shuttle boxes to their blocks; the yard system has already decided where each one goes.
Hour 31: sailing
Lashing checked, the last box loaded, papers signed. The pilot takes her out and the next ship is already at the fairway buoy.
Written for this demo. Vessels and people are invented.
In four lines
For the busy reader.
- Hour 0: the pilot. The pilot boards four nautical miles out and takes the ship up the channel with two tugs.
- Hour 2: all fast. Eight mooring lines go out, gangway down, and the first crane is over bay 2 within fifteen minutes.
- Hours 3 to 28: the moves. Two thousand nine hundred moves, discharge and load interleaved so cranes rarely travel empty.
- Hour 31: sailing. Lashing checked, the last box loaded, papers signed.
Questions
Short answers.
Can I share this story?
Yes, with a link back to The Quay.
Can I suggest a topic?
Yes. Use the subscribe form on the news page.
Next
See it live.
The vessel board and the gate wait, updated all day.