First Cavotec MoorMasters in Scandinavia

Global engineering group, Cavotec MSL, has successfully completed commissioning of Scandinavia’s first fully automated vacuum-based mooring system, MoorMaster, with Danish ferry operator Nordic Ferry Services (NFS).

MoorMaster is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that moors vessels in seconds, eliminating the need for conventional mooring lines. The system counteracts vessel surge in port caused by changes in wave dynamics.

The NFS installation includes two MoorMaster™ units in the port of Hov on the Danish mainland, Jutland, and a further two across the Århus Bugt at Saelvig Port on the island of Samsoe. The units will perform between six and eight mooring operations a day throughout the year.

NFS has a further eight MoorMaster units on order due for installation at other Danish ports. Designed to meet the specific conditions at Hov and Saelvig, each of the MoorMaster units has a holding capacity of 400K/N. Each set of twin units is capable of holding vessels in place in wind speeds of up to 24m/s.

The Hov-Saelvig route is served by the new-build passenger ferry Kanhave. Built in Greece, the Kanhave has a capacity of 600 passengers and 110 vehicles.