Why Dredging Alone Does Not Solve the Mega-Ship Problem
Dredging can provide the depth and under-keel clearance larger ships need. It cannot by itself provide shorter stopping distances, lower windage, wider turns or adequate towage control.
Analysis, papers and opinion on harbour towing, vessel dynamics and maritime safety, from the team behind the Carrousel Rave Tug.
Novatug's original analysis of vessel scale, port infrastructure, towage capability and CRT operations.
Originally published June 2019 Download PDF Research reportSimulator study of a stern-connected CRT response to a total propulsion loss near a bridge.
Published 2024 Download PDF Case studyA comparative analysis of the CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Jupiter incidents in confined waterways.
Novatug Research Read case study
Editor's pick
Tug girding is a rapid force-and-geometry failure. Official accident reports show how transverse towline load develops, why recovery time disappears, and which controls matter.
Read articleDredging can provide the depth and under-keel clearance larger ships need. It cannot by itself provide shorter stopping distances, lower windage, wider turns or adequate towage control.
Channel depth and berth length do not tell the whole story. A port also needs enough control to move large vessels safely.
A tug can be close to a large vessel and still be too late to help. This article examines when connected escort towage is justified near critical infrastructure.
A Novatug simulator study tested one connected Carrousel Rave Tug after a containership lost propulsion near critical infrastructure.
Escort tugs control a moving ship by applying steering and braking force through a connected towline. The useful force depends on speed, position, geometry and tug design.
Larger container ships move through the network, bringing vessel-control and infrastructure demands to ports that may not have planned for them.
The scope, source hierarchy, classification rules and limitations behind Novatug’s live maritime incident dataset.
Static bollard pull is a useful certified reference. Escort towage also needs clear steering and braking performance data at speed.
Occasional notes about new articles, papers and datasets. No marketing sequence.