Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/48019
Title: Ranking ports by vessel demand for depth
Authors: Young, David L.
Scully, Brandan
McGill, Sean P.
Elkins, Ashley J.
Kress, Marin M.
Keywords: Automatic identification system (AIS)
Navigation
Dredging
Optimization
Harbor maintenance
Publisher: Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: Miscellaneous Paper (Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)) ; no. ERDC/CHL MP-23-2
Is Version Of: Young, David L., Brandan M. Scully, Sean P. McGill, Ashley J. Elkins, and Marin M. Kress. "Ranking Ports by Vessel Demand for Depth." Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering 150, no. 1 (2024): 04023019. https://doi.org/10.1061/JWPED5.WWENG-2015
Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) traditionally uses two metrics to evaluate the maintenance of coastal navigation projects: tonnage at the associated port (representing relative importance) and the controlling depth in the channel (representing operating condition). These are incorporated into a risk-based decision framework directing funds where channel conditions have deteriorated and the disrupted tonnage potential is the highest. However, these metrics fail to capture shipper demand for the maintained depth service provided by the USACE through dredging. Using automatic identification system (AIS) data, the USACE is pioneering new metrics describing vessel demand for the channel depth, represented by vessel encroachment volume (VEV). VEV describes the volume of the hull intruding into a specified clearance margin above the bed and captures how much vessels use the deepest portions of USACE-dredged channels. This study compares the VEV among 13 ports over 4 years by combining AIS, tidal elevations, channel surveys, and sailing draft. The ports are ranked based on the services demanded by their user base to inform the decision framework driving dredge funding allocations. Integrating demand for-depth metrics into the Harbor Maintenance Fee assessment and/or Trust Fund disbursements could alleviate the constitutionality concerns and several criticisms levied against Harbor Maintenance funding.
Description: Miscellaneous Paper
Gov't Doc #: ERDC/CHL MP-23-2
Rights: Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/48019
http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/48019
Appears in Collections:Miscellaneous Paper

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