Posted: August 14th, 2022

Advancing Intermodalism through Innovative Barge, Ferry and Roll-on/Roll-off Vessel Designs

Advancing Intermodalism through Innovative Barge, Ferry and Roll-on/Roll-off Vessel Designs
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Intermodalism is the concept of using different modes of transportation to move goods or passengers from one place to another. It can reduce costs, emissions, congestion, and accidents by optimizing the use of each mode according to its strengths and weaknesses. For example, rail transport is efficient for long distances, but road transport is more flexible for short distances and door-to-door delivery. By combining both modes, intermodalism can offer the best of both worlds.

However, intermodalism also faces some challenges, such as the need for coordination, standardization, infrastructure, and technology. One of the most critical aspects of intermodalism is the interface between different modes, where goods or passengers have to be transferred from one vehicle to another. This process can be time-consuming, costly, risky, and environmentally unfriendly if not done properly.

Therefore, intermodalism requires innovative solutions that can facilitate the transfer of goods or passengers between different modes of transportation. In this blog post, we will focus on one particular type of intermodal interface: the maritime interface. We will explore how innovative designs of barges, ferries, and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels can improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of intermodal transport by sea.

Barges
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Barges are flat-bottomed boats that are used to transport heavy or bulky goods along rivers, canals, or coastal waters. They are usually towed or pushed by tugboats or other vessels. Barges have several advantages over other modes of transportation, such as low cost, high capacity, low energy consumption, and low environmental impact. However, barges also have some disadvantages, such as low speed, limited maneuverability, and dependence on water depth and weather conditions.

To overcome these disadvantages, some innovative designs of barges have been developed in recent years. For example:

– The Flex-barge is a modular barge system that can be assembled and disassembled according to the cargo size and shape. It consists of standardized units that can be connected by pins or locks. The Flex-barge can carry containers, vehicles, project cargo, or bulk cargo. It can also be used as a floating platform for offshore operations or events.
– The Ecoliner is a hybrid barge that uses wind energy to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. It has four sails that can be automatically adjusted to the wind direction and speed. The Ecoliner also has a diesel-electric propulsion system that can be used when there is no wind or when maneuvering in ports. The Ecoliner can carry up to 500 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers.
– The Barge Master is a motion compensation platform that can be installed on barges to stabilize cranes or other equipment. It uses sensors and hydraulic cylinders to counteract the movements of the barge caused by waves or currents. The Barge Master can increase the safety and efficiency of loading and unloading operations in offshore or coastal areas.

Ferries
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Ferries are vessels that transport passengers and/or vehicles across waterways. They are usually operated on regular routes and schedules. Ferries have several advantages over other modes of transportation, such as convenience, comfort, accessibility, and scenic views. However, ferries also have some disadvantages, such as high fuel consumption, high emissions, high maintenance costs, and vulnerability to weather conditions.

To overcome these disadvantages, some innovative designs of ferries have been developed in recent years. For example:

– The SeaBubbles are electric hydrofoil boats that can glide above the water surface at speeds up to 30 km/h. They use batteries that can be recharged by solar panels or docking stations. The SeaBubbles can carry up to five passengers and are designed to reduce noise, pollution, and congestion in urban waterways.
– The Fjord1 ferries are hybrid ferries that use batteries and diesel engines to power electric motors. They can switch between different modes depending on the load and distance. The Fjord1 ferries can reduce fuel consumption by up to 50% and emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional ferries. They can carry up to 120 cars and 360 passengers.
– The Stena E-Flexer is a RoPax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) ferry that uses LNG (liquefied natural gas) as fuel. LNG is cleaner than diesel and produces lower emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter. The Stena E-Flexer also has a battery hybrid system that can store excess energy from the engines or shore power. It can carry up to 1000 passengers and 3100 lane meters of vehicles.

RoRo Vessels
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RoRo vessels are ships that have ramps or doors that allow vehicles to drive on and off the ship. They are used to transport cars, trucks, buses, trailers, or other wheeled cargo across oceans or seas. RoRo vessels have several advantages over other modes of transportation, such as speed, flexibility, security, and reliability. However, RoRo vessels also have some disadvantages, such as high capital cost, high operating cost, and high environmental impact.

To overcome these disadvantages, some innovative designs of RoRo vessels have been developed in recent years. For example:

– The Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean (WWO) vessels are RoRo vessels that have a streamlined hull shape, a large bulbous bow, and a high propeller efficiency. They also have an optimized cargo handling system that can reduce loading and unloading time. The WWO vessels can reduce fuel consumption by up to 15% and emissions by up to 18% compared to conventional RoRo vessels. They can carry up to 8000 cars or a mix of other products.
– The Horizon Ship Brokers (HSB) vessels are RoRo vessels that have a modular design that can be customized according to the cargo type and size. They also have a flexible deck layout that can accommodate different configurations of vehicles or containers. The HSB vessels can offer a cost-effective and versatile solution for intermodal transport by sea. They can carry up to 1216 cars or 13461 DWT (deadweight tonnage) of cargo.
– The Transglory vessels are RoRo vessels that have a hybrid propulsion system that uses batteries and diesel engines. They also have a smart navigation system that can optimize the route and speed according to the weather and traffic conditions. The Transglory vessels can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20% and emissions by up to 25% compared to conventional RoRo vessels. They can carry up to 105 trailers and 60 cars.

Conclusion
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Intermodalism is a key strategy to improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of transport systems. However, intermodalism also requires innovative solutions that can facilitate the transfer of goods or passengers between different modes of transportation. In this blog post, we have explored how innovative designs of barges, ferries, and RoRo vessels can enhance the performance of intermodal transport by sea. These designs can offer various benefits, such as lower costs, higher capacities, lower energy consumption, lower emissions, higher safety, and higher flexibility.

References
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– Flex-barge: https://www.flex-barge.com/
– Ecoliner: https://www.ecoliners.eu/
– Barge Master: https://www.barge-master.com/
– SeaBubbles: https://seabubbles.com/
– Fjord1: https://www.fjord1.no/en
– Stena E-Flexer: https://www.stenaliners.com/en/future
– Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean: https://www.walleniuswilhelmsen.com/what-we-do/ocean-transportation
– Horizon Ship Brokers: https://horizonship.com/ship-category/dry-cargo-ships-for-sale/roll-on-roll-off-cargo-ships-for-sale-or-charter/
– Transglory: https://www.transglory.com/en/roro-ships-maritime-freight-transportation-advantages/

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