Improvement in Docking Speed and Safety at Swedish Port through Suction Mooring

Sweden’s Port of Kapellskär has implemented the country’s first automooring system, which utilizes vacuum pad technology. This system, combined with enhanced shore power capabilities, improves the efficiency and sustainability of the port’s operations. The automooring system is currently being used at Kapellskär and may be expanded to other ports in the region in the future. The system replaces conventional rope handling with vacuum pads that attach to the ship’s hull, eliminating the risk of injury. It can dock a vessel in less than 30 seconds and undock it in just 15 seconds, leading to faster and more efficient handling and reduced emissions.

The introduction of the automooring system coincided with the arrival of Finnlines’ new vessel, the Finnsirius. This state-of-the-art ship, along with its sister ship set to enter service in January 2024, has increased cargo and passenger capacity. The Port of Kapellskär has also introduced a next-generation crane and onshore power connections, further improving the port’s capabilities. The facilities for onshore power connection and automated mooring at Kapellskär were partly financed by the EU and received funding from the Swedish national Climate Leap investment project.

Overall, the automooring system and enhanced shore power capabilities at the Port of Kapellskär improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability. This technology eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines, reducing the risk of injury and allowing for quicker docking and undocking. The system, combined with the port’s next-generation crane and onshore power connections, supports faster and more efficient handling of vessels, reducing emissions. These advancements were made possible through funding from the EU and the Swedish national Climate Leap investment project.

Source .