Nick Labrosse, Trelleborg Marine & Infrastructure, discusses how automated mooring and docking systems unlock efficiency and emissions gains in dry bulk terminals.
In a sector where marginal gains at berth can ripple across global supply chains, many ports and terminals still rely on antiquated mooring operations. Despite transformative automation across cargo handling, scheduling, and vessel navigation, the ship-to-shore interface remains heavily dependent on ropes, bollards, and line handlers – technologies and methods that have changed little in over a century.
For dry bulk terminals under pressure to improve throughput, reduce emissions, and protect personnel, this presents a critical choke point. Research from UCL suggests that cutting time at berth by just 10% could reduce voyage emissions by up to 25%. But to realise these gains, terminal operators must address operational inefficiencies hidden in plain sight – starting with mooring and docking.
The case for change: risk, delay, and decarbonisation
Mooring is consistently ranked among the most dangerous phases of vessel operations. According to the UK P&I Club, over half of all mooring-related injuries involve parted lines. These incidents often occur during peak activity when line tension, vessel drift, and environmental conditions converge – exposing crew and dock workers to heightened risk.
Delays during mooring and unmooring compound quickly in high-frequency bulk operations. On routes serving steel plants, grain terminals, or energy facilities, even minor delays affect conveyor availability, berth rotation, and downstream logistics. Mooring inefficiencies also increase fuel use during positioning and at idle, while reducing the window for cargo handling or battery charging for hybrid/electric vessels.
From a decarbonisation standpoint, every minute at berth matters, especially amid rising regulatory pressure. FuelEU Maritime requires emissions cuts both at sea and in port, while EU taxonomy criteria and scope 3 accounting now extend to port-side emissions and lifecycle infrastructure performance.
Mooring automation is increasingly becoming a critical component in meeting these regulatory and sustainability requirements. Automating mooring also delivers measurable environmental benefits by reducing the time, personnel, and equipment involved in berthing operations. This leads to lower emissions through faster vessel turnarounds, decreased energy consumption during extended port stays, and reduced fuel waste from vessels waiting at berth. These improvements directly support ports' decarbonisation targets while enhancing overall operational efficiency and environmental performance.
Vacuum mooring in practice: minimising movement, maximising control
Vacuum mooring systems, such as Trelleborg’s AutoMoor, offer a proven alternative to legacy line-based approaches. Using smart, wharf-mounted vacuum pads that attach directly to a vessel’s hull, AutoMoor secures vessels in as little as 30 sec. and enables rapid departure in under 15 sec.
Unlike fixed bollards, which require manual adjustment and introduce variability in line tension and vessel movement, AutoMoor applies consistent, adaptive mooring force in real time, counteracting wind, wave, and swell to keep the vessel stable. This is particularly beneficial during bulk loading and unloading, where even small vessel movements can disrupt operations.
Dry bulk vessels often remain at berth for two to three days during product transfer operations for cargoes such as coal or iron ore. During this time, maintaining mooring integrity and situational awareness is essential – both to prevent incidents and ensure safe, uninterrupted operations. Automated mooring systems like AutoMoor provide continuous tension control without manual correction, preserving safety and reliability.
AutoMoor’s ability to reduce the effects of long-period waves and passing ships helps widen ports’ operational windows, a key advantage for terminals facing downtime from MetOcean conditions. In simulations involving long-period wave conditions, AutoMoor reduced peak vessel motions enough to raise berth operability from 65% to 95%, which is a significant gain for bulk handling terminals.
Across over 30 000 successful vacuum mooring operations globally, bulk terminals could expect mooring time reductions from 50 min. to just one minute with AutoMoor. At ferry terminals like the Port of Långnäs in Finland, operators have reported reductions from 5 min. to 30 sec. While not a bulk terminal, this highlights the system’s ability to dramatically cut handling time without compromising safety or control. In dry bulk contexts, these savings can lower demurrage risk, improve scheduling, and enable more predictable terminal operations.
Johan Mannerus, Deputy Harbour Master at Långnäs, confirmed the system holds vessels in position better than lines, enabling loading/unloading even in high winds. The reduced handling time also translates to lower tug use and quicker power-down of main engines and thrusters – improving both fuel efficiency and emissions output.
Beyond efficiency, vacuum mooring significantly improves safety for terminal personnel and vessel crews. Removing line handling eliminates crew exposure to snap-back zones and manual strain injuries. Mannerus noted the most significant benefit has been removing icy, manual rope handling, a key risk factor in cold climates. Mooring can now be managed remotely via control systems, with vessel movements automatically adjusted by the vacuum pads, removing the need for real-time manual correction.
Enjoyed what you've read so far? Read the full article and the rest of the Spring issue of Dry Bulk by registering today for free!