Dynamic Mooring Analysis for PortMiami North Bulkhead Berths 1–6 Realignment

PortMiami is performing the North Bulkhead Berths 1–6 Realignment Project to replace the existing bulkhead along the North Channel to maintain cruise operations safely at six berths, which involves extending the berthing line 16.5 m into the channel. A dynamic mooring study was performed to address key mooring and berthing challenges, which included wide range of sizes of cruise ships from six major cruise lines; new bulkhead elevations; future sea level rise; varying passenger boarding bridge configurations at each berth; terminal door locations; apron operations; and berthing during construction and after completion of the project. The technical approaches employed in this study represent integrated utilization of state-of-the-art marine modeling tools to develop optimized mooring and berthing layouts and systems for these six cruise berths. The technical approach applied is one that could be of great value to future berth developments that involve a wide range of ship sizes.