Delta Life 12

Case 1 Studies of quays Many quays in the port are now fifty years old and about eighty percent have reached the end of their technical lifespan. In most cases, inspections of quays are carried out visually: are there cracks or holes in the walls, are things broken, is the concrete decaying? The researchers in this project plan to use sensors to de- termine the load-bearing capacity of the quays. 'We want to establish a picture of the hidden strengths and weaknesses,' explains Boon. The Port Authority and other companies respon- sible for the quays can use the analysis of the data to determine exactly where and when which mainte- nance work is required. 'Establishing a clear pic- ture of capacity makes it easier to respond to future needs such as the use of heavier cranes or larger ships.' Case 2 Dredging in the port Another study in which SmartPort and Deltares are working together looks at sedimentation on the seabed in the port of Rotterdam and the related monitoring activities. 'The waterways have to be deep enough at all times to accommodate the vessels,' explains Boon. The Port Authority guaran- tees a water depth of 16 to 24metres depending on the location. Daily dredging is required in the port of Rotterdam. That generates an impressive flow of 12 to 15million cubic metres of dredged material annually that is dumped in the North Sea. Vessels determine the level of the seabed every month, the depth in re- lation to NAP, in order to determine where, and how much, dredging is required. 'That's a labour-intensive and expensive process,' says Boon. In this research project, the Covadem data infor- mation system charts the water depth: the difference between the surface of the water and the level of the bed. That systemhas been installed on some eighty inland navigation vessels. Sound waves are used to measure the keel clearance – the distance between the underside of the vessel and the bed – every second. The Covadem system can use these measurements to determine the water depth. 'The system provides us with an extra source of data from vessels that are al- ready sailing here anyway,' says Boon. The researchers are now looking at whether the collected data are fit for purpose and checking whether the tides and salt water affect the data too much. Boon: 'We hope the research results will result inmore efficient dredging in the future.' Case 3 Inland shipping and climate change In a third study, Deltares has teamed up with Smart- Port partners to study the impact of climate change on water levels and freight transport capacity in the Rhine. What is the signi- ficance for transport on the river? 'The droughts of recent years have hit the logistics sector hard,' ex- plains Boon. 'The low water level meant that transport companies were able to transport much less cargo on the rivers, with enor- mous economic damage as a result. In the near future, extreme weather conditions will increasingly affect the transport of goods by water.' He adds: 'We are talking to the logistics sector to find out where they see the main opportunities and needs in this area and where we, as the SmartPort community, can help and connect.' For more information: johan.boon@deltares.nl 26 Deltares is one of the SmartPort partners and we are also invol- ved in various projects organised by the knowledge platform. Johan Boon is the head of river science and inland shipping at Deltares and he has been seconded to SmartPort for one day a week. He has picked three examples. SmartPort in practice