Norfolk Harbor improvement study, Virginia : Norfolk Harbor deepening and widening ship simulation results

Abstract

In 2018, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, participated in a navigation study to assist the Virginia Port Authority evaluation of a proposed channel widening alternative for the Port of Norfolk, Virginia. The proposal will allow large coal colliers and containerships to load to a deeper draft. The proposals also included deepening portions of Norfolk Harbor and providing additional widening in one section for two-way traffic. The simulations were conducted at the Maritime Institute of Technical and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) facility in Linthicum, MD. Moffatt & Nichol directed the simulation and modeling efforts, with assistance from Webb Simulation Consulting. The U.S. Army Engineer District, Norfolk, and ERDC provided oversight to ensure that all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers simulator study requirements were met. The MITAGS simulator includes a variety of environmental forces act upon the ship during the simulation transit. These include currents, wind, waves, bathymetry, and ship-to-ship interaction. Online simulations of the project were conducted at MITAGS. Seven mariners including harbor pilots and a master mariner participated in the testing and validation exercises. Results in the form of track plots and pilot questionnaires were reviewed to develop final conclusions. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.