INTEC is well versed in comparative assessments of alternate mooring systems or terminal configurations. Having determined the number of berths and/or moorings needed to assure a certain throughput capacity, the question remains which type best suits the vessels and environmental conditions at the site. Conceptually, a choice must be made between a mooring, or a fixed berth. Moorings can be single point (SPM) or multi-point (CBM), whereas a fixed berths may be a jetty or a sea island connected to shore facilities by submarine pipeline. The choice depends mainly on exposure to waves and currents, navigation access and depth, as well as the range of tanker sizes and products to be handled.

INTEC senior staff have first hand experience with all types of SPM moorings, including CALM, SALM, Spar, Articulated Tower, and Fixed Tower. Each has its own characteristics and appurtenances, and evaluation and design is done using commercial as well as INTEC proprietary software for analysis of moorings, underbuoy hoses, floating hoses, flexible risers, and mooring hawsers.

In conceptual and detailed design of fixed berths including fixed towers, jetties and sea islands, we take into account the mooring loads exerted on the structure by berthing and moored vessels.

The resulting conceptual designs are compared and evaluated based on technical factors, cost, permitting and environmental aspects, and operational considerations. This way INTEC can then make recommendations based on an objective assessments of all these factors, so that the most suitable terminal concept is selected before bids are solicited from suppliers of moorings or terminal systems.