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.