Paper 21 - The role of classification and reference vessels in the
design of inland fairways for commercial vessels – contribution to
the Workshop of WG 141 Design Guidelines for Inland
Waterways.
KOEDIJK, O. C.; MSc
Rijkswaterstaat / TU Delft, Rijswijk, Netherlands Email (1st author): otto.koedijk@rws.nl
ABSTRACT: The Pianc WG 141 is proceeding in the conception of Design Guidelines for Inland Waterways. WG 141 aims to produce its first draft in the end of 2015. Part of the forseen content are classification of waterways and the object of reference vessels. The role of those subjects will be presented and discussed in the Workshop, that WG 141 will give during the Smart Rivers 2015 Conference, scheduled at the 8th of September.
1 INTRODUCTION
For designing an inland waterway, determination of the vesseltypes and –dimensions that will be using it is necessary. This paper gives assistance in this challenge by treating the role of classification and reference vessels.
2 CLASSIFICATION OF FAIRWAYS – THE EXAMPLE OF EUROPE
2.1 Introduction
Helding a vast network of inland waterways, which are navigated by vessels from various member states, Europe had a good reason to coordinate on infrastructure and therefore develop a classification for inland vessels.
2.2 History of the CEMT-classification
Standardisation of allowed ships dimensions (length and beam) started in 1879 in France with a law for the construction and improvement of 9000 km canal for the Péniche ship type (38.5 x 5.05 m). Beginning of the 20th century, canals were developed in Germany, connecting Dortmund-Ems and Rhein-Herne, with corresponding ships dimensions (73.0 x 8.20m) resp. (85 x 9.50 m). Later on, barge types like large Rhine vessels and push convoys were developed, for navigating on larger fairways, like rivers.
From 1954 on, the European Ministers of Transport resoluted on CEMT-classifications; the current table is from 1992 and contains 7 classes of navigable waterways [1], see appendix 2. The draught and tonnage in the CEMT ’92 table are indicative. The ship types distinguished in the table are motorvessels and push convoys.
Besides that, for each waterway class, minimum heights under bridges are given in meters.
2.3 Pianc WG 9 base for CEMT ’92 classification At the base for the current CEMT’92 classification stood the Pianc WG 9, which produced her report in 1990, titled ‘Standardization of Inland Waterway’s Dimensions [2]. One of the reasons to install this working group was that the previous CEMT classification of 1954 had no provisions for push convoys of 2, 4 and 6 barges. 2.4 L’histoire se répete: Pianc WG 179
Since 1992, several developments were experienced again in the size and forms of barges, as well as their means to manoeuvre. Meant are the larger (and often wider) motorvessels, as well as the coupled units that sail the (larger) waterways nowadays. Examples of those are the Rhine max vessel (135 x 17 m.) respectively a coupled unit, which can exist of a common large Rhine vessel (110 x 11.40 m.) combined with a pushed barge upfront. This pushed barge can be a regular Europe II type but is in many cases a tailor made one provided with bow truster, both resulting in a total
length of 170 – 190 m. Coupled units distinguish themselves from pushed convoys in better manoeuvrability.
The CEMT ’92 classification has no provisions for those larger motorvessels as well as coupled units. Misunderstandings exist among the different countries as to the classification of the vessels mentioned. In this way, history repeats itself.
This is why I took the initiative to address the issue and write the Terms of Reference for a new Pianc WG to study the matter. In November 2014, ExCom decided accordingly; the WG was numbered 179. The WG had a first successful meeting in Brussels in June 2015 and could still use participants, especially from France.
3 REFERENCE VESSELS – STARTING POINT FOR DESIGN OF WATERWAYS
3.1 Defining waterway class and reference vessel
The design process starts with defining the preferred waterway class, in the European situation the CEMT-class. For the CEMT-classes II to V there are 2 values given for the ships length, as a result of vessels being extended. If there is no classification available, the region should construct one, e.g. by drawing a squatter diagram from the existing fleet and clustering it in logical classes.
This is what Rijkswaterstaat did in 2002 (see Appendix 1) and 2010, as a result of the shortcomings of the CEMT ’92 classification, as
discussed before in 4.2. The RWS 2010
classification can be found in the Dutch publication Richtlijnen Vaarwegen 2011 (Guidelines for Waterways 2011 [3]), which is added in appendix 3.
Reference vessels are the biggest vessels in a certain waterway class. Thus, the reference vessel is the largest ship that can navigate with safety and ease on the fairway studied. If the fairway is sailed by different ship types, a reference vessel is to be defined for each category. In the European situation they exist of motor-vessels, pushed convoys and coupled units. In table 1 below, derived from the Dutch Waterway Guidelines 2011, features are shown from reference motorvessels.
The choice for a reference vessel is primarily based on the horizontal dimensions, with the ships beam as most important factor.
The choice is to be made by the administrator of the fairway. He can choose for different dimensions than the class if this represents the studied fairway better.
3.1 reference vessels – engine power and steerability
Since the beginning of fairway classification (1879) engine power increased dramatically. Combined with ships draught they determine the effect on the bottom and banks of the fairway.
Thanks to more engine power and the introduction of bowtrusters (see table above) and sophisticated rudders, steerability of ships also improved a great deal, especially at low speed in manoeuvring .
4 DESIGN OF WATERWAY 4.1 Selected reference vessel
Having selected the proper reference vessel, the waterway can be designed by using guidelines (if available) and, in specific cases, ship handling simulators.
This process is treated by others in the Workshop, given by WG 141 at the Smart Rivers 2015 Conference.
REFERENCES
1. European Conference of Ministers of Transport CEMT/ECMT), Athens 11 – 12 June 1992, Resolution No. 92/2 on new classification of inland waterways (including reccomendations and notes for table). . 2. Pianc Working Group no. 9, 1990,
Standardization of Inland Waterway’s.
3. Brolsma, J.U. and K. Roelse 2011, Waterway Guidelines 2011 (meant for waterway design from a vessel traffic perspective), Rijkswaterstaat Dienst Verkeer en Scheepvaart. (http://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/en/images/Wate
APPENDIX 1. FLEET OF MOTORVESSELS IN 2002, PLOTTED AFTER LENGTH (HORIZONTAL AXIS) AND BEAM (VERTICAL AXIS)
