Tesoro has deployed ABB software on its very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to improve safety for tankers entering a key US port. The software is designed to provide real-time data of the keel-to-seabed clearance for tankers entering the Port of Long Beach in California.
Sensors fitted to Tesoro tankers will send information to a portable surveyor unit carried by pilots for verifying the route to the dock. Prior to entering the harbour, the pilot uses the Protide application to combine tidal, wave, route and ship data to analyze and predict the keel clearance of the tanker during the proposed transit.
ABBs software continuously validates the pre-calculated motions from the online decision support system Protide. This is used to calculate safe transit time windows for large oil tankers to enter the port. VLCCs of up to 330,000 tons approach the port with a draught of around 21m and a keel clearance as little as 2m.