Dredging-Related Implications of Current and Future Trends in the International Shipping Industry

A National Dredging Needs Study (NDNS) was initiated by the Institute of Water Resources (IWR) of the USACE to investigate the adequacy of U.S. navigation channels and harbors to accommodate changes in the world merchant fleet well into the 21st century. Among the results of the NDNS was a projection of future vessel types and sizes calling at U.S. deep-draft ports, and an analysis of potential dredging needs based on these future traffic projections. A concurrent IWR study included a shipping trends impact assessment on navigation channel usage and design, based in part on the NDNS projections. This paper reviews and augments the NDNS projections with respect to changing vessel characteristics and ship designs, and discusses their impact on navigation channel design, maintenance, and the related dredging implications.