In the Floaterm concept, the barge supporting the container crane mounts on anchors embedded in the quay floor. These supports – which they call spuds – only carry the tipping loads, not a significant version of the balanced load. Stabilisation will also be required to counteract wave and container movements.
“We think Floaterm will be viable in the future when land cost and congestion increase the cost of oceanside terminals so they even more expensive to build and operate than they are today,” Jordan says.
