port planning

Moffatt & Nichol understands the dynamic nature of the container terminal business and therefore the need for operational flexibility, expandability, and optimized terminal access that adjusts to state-of-the-art status over its economic life. Moffatt & Nichol is internationally recognized as a leader and innovator in the planning and design of ports, harbors and marine terminals and the complex supporting infrastructure supporting them.

Moffatt & Nichol is the only firm in North America that offers a fully integrated in-house team that can address every aspect of development of a container port from cargo forecasting through to new terminal design and then final construction and commissioning. Moffatt & Nichol has managed the planning, design, and construction of more than 100 container terminals, including automated terminals, worldwide, and some of North America’s largest transportation infrastructure projects.

construction management

Moffatt & Nichol provides construction observation and inspection services, the firm has a core group of seasoned construction professionals with the experience to act as an extension of our clients’ staff to support the full spectrum of situations encountered during projects. We believe Construction Management does not begin with the contractor’s notice to proceed but rather with initial planning of the program, design development of the project, and overall strategy for constructability. Our inspectors have provided continued guidance regarding operations and maintenance; rapid response to engineering issues during construction; and oversight of construction management and quality control and insure that construction proceeds in strict accordance with design drawings and technical specifications.

marine structures

As one of the largest specialized maritime planning and engineering firms in the world, Moffatt & Nichol has played a major role in the evolution of the modern port. The firm has an international reputation for providing innovative solutions to the port and maritime industry. From the advent of containerization to today’s complex goods movement trends and environmental regulations, the firm offers integrated in-house capabilities to support virtually any port, maritime or freight transportation assignment worldwide. From offices and centers of expertise in North America, Europe, and Latin America, Moffatt & Nichol can see a project from conceptual analysis and feasibility study through planning, design, and marine construction.

port security

Moffatt & Nichol is a global leader in addressing the maritime industry’s operational and security-related concerns. Based on U.S. Homeland Security Initiatives, the firm is actively enhancing port and maritime domain awareness by delivering state of the art security systems. Key to delivering the right solutions is balancing life safety and the protection of critical infrastructure with continuity of port and port business operations. As a result, Moffatt & Nichol develops and implements innovative approaches that unify security goals with the efficient flow of commerce. Our comprehensive security-related solutions are tailored for regional stakeholders, port authorities, terminal operators, and security-related responders worldwide.

port automation

With decades of experience working for port authorities and maritime terminal operators worldwide, Moffatt & Nichol is recognized as a leader and innovator in the planning and design of ports, marine terminals, and the complex infrastructure that supports today’s movement of cargo and freight.

Developing an automated container terminal from the ground up is a challenging prospect. It requires an understanding of critical issues such as available space and logistics, land configurations, equipment selection, operating systems interface, governmental policies and regulations, labor practices, environmental restrictions, and capacity limitations. Moffatt & Nichol’s team of professionals includes industry- leading experts who have unmatched container terminal development experience. They apply their experience and expertise to develop modern, flexible, state-of-the-art container terminals that will stand the test of time.

ferry terminals

As one of the largest international maritime engineering and consultancy firms in the world, Moffatt & Nichol’s team of professionals offers expertise in the planning and design of ferry related facilities worldwide. In partnership with our clients, Moffatt & Nichol provides a variety of services ranging from feasibility studies and economic analyses to planning, design, program management, and construction support. The firm has been responsible for projects as varied as large passenger and freight ferry vessels to smaller urban water taxi operations, offering expertise to optimize the functionality of terminal operations and profitability. We offer a global perspective in support of our clients in the ferry industry, serving those in the maritime community, government, intermodal logistics sector, and the investment community alike.

bulk terminals

Moffatt & Nichol offers clients a complete suite of planning and design services for bulk materials handling terminals and facilities. Our expertise includes developing financial analyses, feasibility studies, master plans, detailed design documents, and providing construction management and support for a range of facilities – from berths, jetties and loading and unloading areas to storage and transfer systems and inland transportation networks. Our project portfolio includes terminals and facilities that handle coal, ore, mineral concentrates, fertilizers, grain and other agricultural products, construction aggregates, wood products, bulk liquids and other bulk materials. Combining our maritime experience with specific knowledge of bulk handling technology and equipment enables Moffatt & Nichol to support our clients with the most efficient infrastructure and operations while maximizing performance.

gate planning & design

Moffatt & Nichol’s extensive experience with marine terminal security and gate design allows our team to fully understand the issues associated with security gate projects. Although there are many firms which are capable of providing gate design services, there are few which can boast the firm’s combination of gate design experience, familiarity with current security protocols and knowledge of private and government construction standards and specifications. Moffatt & Nichol’s has a world-wide reputation for breadth and depth of experience with gate and security projects.

fendering analysis

Moffatt & Nichol has completed numerous evaluations and designs of fender systems for piers, wharves, bulkheads, bridge fendering, etc. for a variety of clients including the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Port Authorities, and private shipping companies. Our expertise with mooring and fendering systems led to Moffatt & Nichol to be chosen to write the Navy Design Manuals for Fixed Moorings (NAVFAC DM 26.4) and Fleet Moorings (NAVFAC DM 26.5). Moffatt & Nichol routinely performs static and dynamic mooring and berthing analyses for all manner of moorings and vessel sizes as part of our port practice.

Moffatt & Nichol recognizes that the fender system is the interface between the ship and the shore facility. The fender system is meant to act as a buffer while berthing a ship by absorbing or dissipating the impact energy of the ship without causing permanent damage to the ship or the shore facility. Once the ship is successfully berthed and moored to the shore facility, the fender system continues to provide the interface between ship and shore and transmits environmental loads (wind, wave, and current) on the ship to the structure. The identification of the magnitude and direction of forces to be used in the design of the fender system is critical to the success of the system.

vessel maneuvering & traffic studies

Moffatt & Nichol has an advanced capability to provide numerical simulations of vessel movements, port operations and similar systems using a sophisticated numerical model called Simulation Language for Alternative Modeling (SLAM). This model also includes a graphics module, which provides an on-screen animated display of results. Analyses of vessel traffic flow in harbors, waterways and marinas can be made to examine flow capacities or to determine impacts of changes in operations or utilization of a harbor. Moffatt & Nichol has developed a state-of-the-art vessel traffic flow model that has been successfully applied to several projects varying in scope from commercial ship traffic in ports to boat traffic operations in marinas.