Orcelle Terminal Zeebrugge: Full mission bridge simulation study. Session 4. Alternative bridge designs with wheel fenders
Verwilligen, J.; Claes, S. (2026). Orcelle Terminal Zeebrugge: Full mission bridge simulation study. Session 4. Alternative bridge designs with wheel fenders. Version 4.0. WL Rapporten, 23_038_04. Flanders Hydraulics: Antwerp. XV, 177 + 130 p. app. pp.
Part of: WL Rapporten. Waterbouwkundig Laboratorium: Antwerpen. , more
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| Available in | Authors |
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Document type: Project report
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| Keywords |
Harbours and waterways > Ship motion > Fairway and harbour design
Simulations
Zeebrugge Harbour [Marine Regions]
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| Author keywords |
Full-mission bridge simulation; Car-Carriers |
Contact detailsProposer: Port of Antwerp-Bruges , more
| Abstract |
From October 2025 to January 2026, Flanders Hydraulics investigated the accessibility of the Orcelle Terminal in Zeebrugge by means of real‐time manoeuvring simulations for two alternative designs of the actual Verbindings‐bridge.
The simulations were performed by harbour pilots (CVBA Brabo) with the assistance of a tug boat captain (Boluda Towage Europe) and in the presence of representatives of the port authority (PoAB) and the shipping company (Wallenius‐Wilhelmsen).
The design vessels for the Orcelle Terminal Zeebrugge were defined corresponding to the relevant ships in the (future) global fleet of Wallenius/Wilhelmsen:
1. Hero‐II type Vehicle carrier: 200 m x 36.5 m
2. Shaper+ Vehicle carrier: 234 m x 40.0 m.
The main challenge for ships calling for the Orcelle terminal concerns the passage of the Verbindings‐bridge (width 55.0 m). In the present assessment, two new bridge designs corresponding to a bridge passage width of 55 m and 60 m were evaluated. Both designs involve a new design of the bridge fendering, accommodating contacts between the hull and the bridge. The fender design also includes wheel fender constructions at the four corners of the bridge fendering. Apart from the bridge passage also the execution of swinging manoeuvres west of the Verbindings‐bridge were evaluated for the largest ship (Shaper+).
Based on the simulation study advise was given regarding the manoeuvring strategy (centric and controlled approach and passage), the application of resources (tug boats and ship equipment), the application of aids for positioning (Qastor Full or leading lights) and the acceptability of wind conditions. |
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