Evaluation of the Market and Operational Parameters for Coastal Vessel Systems

In areas having extensive international trade, such as the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, Europe's North Sea, interisland commerce (e.g. the Philippines, Hawaii), and the Central American coasts), much attention is given to the relatively small vessels that can call to shallow-draft ports. In the U.S., the consolidation of liner services and emerging congestion of land transportation in coastal areas have also drawn attention to coastal vessels. The Institute, in cooperation with U.S. shipyards, conducted a study to determine the areas where such vessels can be used. The analysis reviewed a variety of vessel designs, determined their operating costs (including port and shipping costs), and the institutional barriers (e.g. pilotage) that can impact their successful deployment.

Market Assessment for "Swift Express" Vessels

A U.S. shipyard proposed to design and produce a new state-of-the-art class of crew/supply boats for use in the offshore oil platform industry under the name and product line of "Swift Express". This family of vessels will utilize a new design of efficient diesel engines, incorporating an electronic control system that will enhance fuel economy throughout its load range and provide savings to vessel operators and users. The Institute's focus was on the identification of market demand in international markets for the proposed vessels. Our research efforts included the identification of preliminary product design parameters, the analysis of the needs of target markets, the conduct of market surveys, the development of a quantifiable model based upon key parameters/variables utilized in the Swift Express vessel configurations, a comparative evaluation of the cost effectiveness of these vessels with other available competitive options, and development of recommendations for design modifications to satisfy market and competitive demands.

Potential for Container-on-Barge Services in the United States

The focus of this research, sponsored by the U.S. Maritime Administration, was the identification of the problems and potential for establishing containerized commerce on the U.S. inland waterways; defining the benefits to waterway operators, ports, and shippers from container-on-barge services; and assessing the viability of container-on-barge services. The research findings presented a clear delineation of the necessary operational and marketing steps for successful implementation of container-on-barge services and provided a basic framework for private firms to conduct additional market evaluations in preparation for establishing such barge services.

Potential for General Cargo in Off-Shore Barges and River Ocean Vessels

This project is concerned with the assessment of short-sea maritime transport systems in the United States, considerations of cost and service parameters, analysis of competitive alternatives, and determination of short-sea system applicability to the United States. The research first analyzed the potential routes and possible short-sea vessels that could serve the routes and provided comparisons with competing modes of transportation, including full containerships, rail, and truck. The research was then concerned with the development of a computerized model that contained a set of standardized parameters, including general financial conditions and trade route and vessel characteristics of potential short-sea services and their competition. The model also incorporated a series of sensitivity tests to evaluate the impact of changes in input parameters on quality of service and costs.

Innovative Breakbulk Technology and its Impact on Waterfront Utilization

The Institute analyzed the technology trends of breakbulk cargo handling systems, including cargoes, vessels, and ports. Future breakbulk terminals were characterized with an emphasis on universal neobulk and specialized fresh produce terminals. A model was developed to assess the feasibility of innovative breakbulk technologies based on the comparative costs of facilities, machines, and labor. The model's application was demonstrated by the case of an overhead crane to handle super bales in covered storage. The report concluded with recommendations regarding waterfront lands used for breakbulk activity and their adequacy for future breakbulk terminals.

Strategic Marketing Plan for the Louisiana Cruise Industry

Louisiana, United States

The Institute undertook a program of analysis to assist in repositioning Louisiana's cruise industry so that it can take advantage of fleet expansion and increased demand. Major tasks included the identification and assessment of current activity and trends, an analysis of industry supply and demand, an evaluation of the competitive position of New Orleans as a cruise port, the development of an itinerary analysis model, and the formulation of a strategic marketing plan.

Identification of NAFTA-Induced Opportunities for Louisiana's Ports and Waterways

Louisiana, United States

The restructuring of the region's trade dynamics that the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will induce can lead to meaningful expansion of current levels of Louisiana-Mexico trade. In order to capitalize on NAFTA-related opportunities, the state of Louisiana retained the Institute to define the strategies required for the state's ports to play a role in capturing the impending growth of water-based trade induced by NAFTA and diverting land-based trade to water transport via the state's ports. The primary objective of the research was to define the NAFTA-induced market opportunities for Louisiana's maritime sector in general and identify the strategies required to exploit them. In so doing, Louisiana's maritime interests were provided with sufficient information to focus their marketing and development efforts in the NAFTA region.

Trends in Breakbulk Technologies and Implications to Maritime Ports in the Gulf of Mexico

United States

The Institute's study examined a new technology for handling breakbulk cargo and its implications for conventional ports in the Gulf region. The new technology on which the study was focused was the Spiralveyor System to be employed at the Port of Houston. This System's objective was to increase port productivity for individually handled ("loose") bagged and boxed cargo. The study assessed the potential of such cargo being diverted from conventional Gulf ports to the new terminal, examined countermeasures that the conventional ports could undertake to avoid this diversion, and estimated the impact of potential diversion on Gulf port labor hours.

Port Master Planning and Feasibility Analysis

The Institute has been engaged in port master planning services and feasibility studies in virtually every port system around the world. Feasibility studies have been conducted for entire port expansion programs as well as for facilities designed to handle specific commodity groups and services, ranging from container and breakbulk to solid and liquid bulk handling systems. The Institute's international experience has given our experts unique insights in vessel service and facility requirements in differing competitive environments, carrier practices, and vessel deployment strategies. In fact, our researchers innovated the use of carrier strategic analysis for developing strategic scenarios as the most critical component of the master planning process. Typical elements among our master plans include cargo and fleet projections, operations assessment, conceptual designs, layouts and cost estimating, economic/financial feasibilities, and phased investment plans. Representative projects include:

Red River Port Development Plan

Louisiana, United States

The newly-navigable Red River Waterway (opened for commercial traffic in late 1994) is an additional link in a complex network of competitive multimodal transportation services. The Red River Waterway Commission, a regional authority charged with developing and maintaining the waterway and providing for adequate public terminal facilities, sought the Institute's assistance to guide an efficient allocation of public resources for port infrastructure. The Institute developed a strategic plan for a competitive and economically viable port and water transportation system addressing the comprehensive market context and network of intermodal services. Major tasks include a competitive assessment of the waterway, identification of cargo opportunities and forecasting future flows, determination of the needed capacity of public port facilities, an evaluation of the economic impact of Red River ports, and an implementation agenda.

Refrigerated Cargo Terminal Feasibility Study Seaport of St. Petersburg

Russia

Refrigerated cargo movements through the Seaport of St. Petersburg has been continually on the rise. The increase, combined with the absence of a modern refrigerated terminal, forced the port to seek a remedy for meeting its reefer cargo needs. The port retained the Institute and its joint venture partner Stevedoring Services of America, Inc. (the U.S.'s largest stevedoring company) to conduct a feasibility study for a reefer terminal facility at the port. Institute researchers prepared cargo forecasts, conducted operations planning analysis (including an assessment of available cargo handling technologies) for the proposed terminal, and formulated a phased investment plan, which included recommendations for financing, ownership, and operating arrangements for the facility. Later on the Institute assisted in negotiations between the U.S. investor/operator and the Port Administration.

Feasibility Study, Turkmenbashi Port Development

Turkmenistan

The objective of this feasibility study was to diversify the port's cargo base and existing transport routings that would allow Turkmenistan and neighboring landlocked countries of Central Asia to participate in larger international trade volumes with western trading centers through linkages with Caspian Sea ports. The study also examined ferry operations via the Transcaucasian rail system. The feasibility study included an evaluation of traffic potential in the Central Asia market and its allocation by alternative transportation routes. A transportation cost model was designed to analyze total costs, using intermodal transhipment through Turkmenbashi across the Caspian Sea to reach major trading centers in Eastern and Western Europe. A port and intermodal master plan was prepared along with the design of facilities, including rehabilitation of existing facilities and equipment. Detailed operational and financial analyses were performed for various development alternatives and investment and business plans were formulated.

Selected Research Experience-contd....

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