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Cheaper docking, but what\'s the compass doing?
21:05 15Jan2003 Magnetic docking system could cut mooring time
LONDON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - A revolutionary magnetic docking system that will be tested in the Netherlands could take much of the hard work out of docking giant ships and save millions of dollars a year in labour costs if it is successful.
The system uses a series of powerful electromagnets built into the quay to moor container ships and speed up turnaround times.
Docking magnets were thought to pose a danger to sensitive cargo such as televisions and computer screens or make it impossible to remove them, but Martin Verweij and Erik Fiktorie of Delft University of Technology have developed a system with a magnetic field that does not penetrate too far into the ship.
"Verweij calculates that 52 of these magnets mounted along a quayside will be capable of holding a 400 metre (yard) container ship in place," New Scientist magazine explained on Wednesday.
The system is designed to work in strong winds up to storm force 12 and will allow the vessels to rise and fall with the tide.
Engineers are expected to test the system later this year in the Dutch port of Rotterdam. If it works it could save the port five million euros ($5.37 million) each year, according to the weekly magazine.
(Reporting by Patricia Reaney; editing by Tim Pearce; Reuters Messaging: patricia.reaney.reuters.com@reuters.net))
($1=.9495 Euro)
Wednesday, 15 January 2003 21:05:00
RTRS [nL15547659] {C}
ENDS
She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like the sound a dog makes just before it throws up
21:05 15Jan2003 Magnetic docking system could cut mooring time
LONDON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - A revolutionary magnetic docking system that will be tested in the Netherlands could take much of the hard work out of docking giant ships and save millions of dollars a year in labour costs if it is successful.
The system uses a series of powerful electromagnets built into the quay to moor container ships and speed up turnaround times.
Docking magnets were thought to pose a danger to sensitive cargo such as televisions and computer screens or make it impossible to remove them, but Martin Verweij and Erik Fiktorie of Delft University of Technology have developed a system with a magnetic field that does not penetrate too far into the ship.
"Verweij calculates that 52 of these magnets mounted along a quayside will be capable of holding a 400 metre (yard) container ship in place," New Scientist magazine explained on Wednesday.
The system is designed to work in strong winds up to storm force 12 and will allow the vessels to rise and fall with the tide.
Engineers are expected to test the system later this year in the Dutch port of Rotterdam. If it works it could save the port five million euros ($5.37 million) each year, according to the weekly magazine.
(Reporting by Patricia Reaney; editing by Tim Pearce; Reuters Messaging: patricia.reaney.reuters.com@reuters.net))
($1=.9495 Euro)
Wednesday, 15 January 2003 21:05:00
RTRS [nL15547659] {C}
ENDS
She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like the sound a dog makes just before it throws up