Marine & Ports
Typical Projects
Marine Casualties
CWA has been instructed on a number of prominently reported tanker casualties in the UK, South East Asia and South America on which we have advised clients on a wide range of issues:
- Impact of damage on tanker cargo handling capability.
- Technical and operational input for risk management.
- Protection of the environment
- Risk analysis of spills scenarios
- Expert advise on cargo care
- Supervision of Cargo Transfer (STS)
- Cargo Reclamation
- Audit of Cargo Quantities to quantify cargo recovery and cargo loss
CWA Marine provided expert advice on navigation and seamanship in a matter concerning the loss of hull plating from a large tanker during laden passage when heavy weather was encountered along the south eastern coast of Africa. Expert evidence was given at the Court Hearing in Cape Town. In another incident involving large tankers, we advised on the collision of two VLCC's in the Arabian Gulf.
Unsafe Port Installations
CWA is regularly instructed to advise on port safety and the adequacy of loss prevention measures and contingency planning. Recent projects include a detailed hazards analysis of a major LPG marine loading terminal.
Vessel Performance Trials
CWA's marine department was co-opted by a prominent UK firm of naval architects to participate in the sea trials of a pleasure vessel. CWA supplied a senior marine engineer to advise on engine performance..
Safety in Navigation
CWA is frequently called on to participate in larger consortia involved in the design and build of new port and terminal facilities, worldwide. In the role of specialist marine consultants, CWA advises on all aspects of safety in navigation and risk assessment in the carriage and handling of hazardous goods through the port.
Risk Assessment Study for Port Development Project, UAE
CWA was commissioned to provide a detailed risk study for a major deep water port expansion project. The expansion was based on export of petroleum products, LPG and a wide range of dry cargoes, including dangerous goods. The study produced detailed recommendations for safety in navigation, pilotage design and layout of the berths, emergency response and risk management of the port.
Port Rehabilitation Study (Baltic)
CWA participated in an EU consortium of consultants and provided expertise in risk assessment of an ageing, yet highly important oil terminal (exporting 10 million TPA), safety studies of tanker operations, navigational factors, berth integrity, also advice on upgrade of port facilities for general cargo handling, port organisation and management.
Sub-Sea Refinery Pipeline Project, Croatia
CWA provided project management and engineering services, in association with sub-sea piping specialists on this project, including initial hydrographic and seabed survey, assessment of routing and conceptual design, project scheduling and provision costing.
Applied Risk Assessment of Major Lock System, UK
CWA was commissioned by a major energy utilities company in the UK to undertake an independent assessment concerned with the reliability of seaborne supply of coal to a new terminal via the largest lock system in Britain. The study, the first of its kind ever undertaken
Safety Study of Port Complex, United Arab Emirates
CWA carried out a comprehensive marine safety study of extensive port facilities in the United Arab Emirates involving the large scale export of hazardous materials (petroleum products, LPG and petrochemicals). The findings of the study are assisting local authorities take management decisions towards radical improvements for communications, control and contingency planning.
Oil Salvage and Environmental Damage Control
Following the grounding of a partly loaded oil tanker off the North African Coast, CWA attended on behalf of insurance interests to assess and evaluate alternative feasible salvage options in order to minimise the risk of large scale pollution. The incident posed a massive pollution threat to sensitive inshore waters. The selected strategy proved successful with minimal pollution.
Loss by Fire of Cargo Vessel Carrying Dangerous Goods
CWA was retained to carry out a detailed post-mortem investigation of the loss by fire in a general cargo vessel carrying a variety of IMO classed dangerous goods. The vessel encountered a serious fire during her voyage, resulting in her eventual loss. The CWA input was from a fire expert and a consulting Master Mariner to evaluate the likely cause, the consequential fire spread and the efficacy of fire fighting procedures.
Fire and Explosion Investigation of Laden Tanker Casualty
CWA has carried out a major detailed technical investigation of the technical and operational factors governing the loss by fire and explosion of a fully laden VLCC. This project involved the formation of a multi-disciplinary team comprising fire experts, metallurgists, naval architects, tanker specialists and salvage operators. CWA carried out complex mathematical modelling of fire spread and oil dispersed from the sunken wreck as part of our evaluation.
