Trelleborg to deliver China’s first automated mooring system

Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure has secured a contract to deploy its advanced AutoMoor technology at one of the world’s leading container terminals in China.

This collaboration marks the first time an automated mooring system will be introduced at a port in China.

The project will integrate AutoMoor into the terminal’s existing infrastructure, which is designed to accommodate the latest ultra-large container vessels. The implementation of AutoMoor is set to enhance operations by improving vessel stability, increasing efficiency, and reducing turnaround times.

Additionally, it will support the terminal’s sustainability goals by lowering vessel emissions during mooring. The system will also boost the berth’s capacity to handle 400-metre-long MegaMax container ships, ensuring the terminal remains at the forefront of modern maritime capabilities.

Richard Hepworth, Business Unit President at Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure, commented: “This contract underscores the confidence in our AutoMoor technology as a transformative solution for modern port operations.

“By providing advanced solutions like AutoMoor, we’re driving improvements in safety, efficiency, and sustainability, enabling ports to thrive in an ever-evolving environment.”

The project is currently underway, with Trelleborg conducting a detailed assessment to ensure smooth integration of AutoMoor. This includes evaluating vessel sizes, berth infrastructure, and environmental conditions to tailor the system for optimal performance and address any existing challenges.

Once implemented, AutoMoor’s “click of a button” technology will allow vessels to moor faster and more securely, significantly reducing unloading, reloading, and turnaround times.

The system is slated to ensure vessel stability during product/container transfer operations, requiring minimal vacuum top-ups for extended mooring periods.

Trelleborg’s Always Active Mechanical Damping (AAMD) system is also designed to reduce port energy consumption, offering a more sustainable option compared to fully hydraulic alternatives.

The installation of AutoMoor is expected to be fully operational in the coming months, following testing and assessments. This will be the first global deployment of AutoMoor technology at a container terminal.

In similar news from last year, Cavotec announced the successful commissioning of a MoorMaster automated vacuum mooring system at APM Terminals (APMT) MedPort Tangier, Morocco.