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Projects: Marine Transportation
BACKGROUND
Dickins' marine transportation studies cover most of the world's deep draft
shipping routes in ice covered regions including: the Russian Northern
Sea Route, Sakhalin Island, Labrador Coast, the Canadian Northwest Passage
and U.S. Arctic. Recent logistics projects include supporting the tow-out
of the CIDS drilling unit from Prudhoe Bay to Russia in 2001, supporting
the ExxonMobil sealift to NE Sakhalin in the fall of 2002 and creating
a new ice database to support ongoing Voisey's Bay ship performance analysis.
Support functions range from real-time ice forecasting and satellite
image interpretation, to historical analysis of ice conditions affecting
scheduling and risk.
From 1996-2004, Dickins Associates completed a number of projects related
to the environmental assessment and technical feasibility of winter shipping
to the serve the Voisey's Bay mining development on the Labrador Coast.
Work involved shipping route investigations, ice studies, remote sensing
interpretation, literature reviews and participation at community hearings.
Dickins prepared chapters of the final environmental evaluation dealing
with ice conditions and possible impacts of winter icebreaking.
In 1986, as part of the Worlds Fair in Vancouver, DF Dickins facilitated
the highly successful International Polar Transportation Conference.
Over 200 delegates attended from around the world. Their papers are contained
in a two-volume set of proceedings produced and edited by the company.
Tanker operations in Tatar Strait, Sakhalin Island Photo: ExxonNeftegas Limited.
Selected Marine Transportation Projects
Review of Summer Ice Conditions Affecting
Vessel Access to the High Lake Project
for Wolfden Resources, 2004
This report reviews the range of expected ice conditions and shipping seasons
for ice strengthened cargo vessels serving Grays Bay, the site of a promising
new mining prospect in the Coronation Gulf region of Nunavut Territory, Canada.
A 1998 feasibility study into the use deep-sea vessels to serve Western Arctic
communities (see project below) provided the necessary historical ice database.
The earlier work was supplemented in this study by recent Canadian Ice Service
data on ice clearing trends (1998 to 2003), and by searching for Landsat 7 colour
satellite imagery, available since 1999. In addition, new material was developed
to cover the present status of Arctic shipping regulations and possible long-term
trends in ice severity related to climatic change.
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USGS Landsat 7 Image of July 2, 2002, showing ice
in the study area.
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Winter Shipping Protocol for
Voisey's Bay
with Westmar Consultants for Inco Ltd., 2004
This project built on the company's previous work for Inco (1996-2002)
to assess the likely capabilities of different vessels in serving
the mine site during the winter period. A modified form of the Canadian
Arctic Ice Regime Shipping System was used to evaluate the expected
shipping seasons with different levels of ice strengthening, based
on previously developed ice databases.
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Canadian Ice Service
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NE Sakhalin Sealift Support
for The Glosten Associates,
Seattle, 2002
Dickins provided ice interpretations from available charts and
tracked temperature trends in support of a sealift to offload
construction equipment
at Chayvo on the Northeast Coast of Sakhalin Island. |
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D.F. Dickins
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CIDS Drilling
Platform Move
for The Glosten Associates, Seattle, 2001 (ExxonMobil,
Houston)
Dickins provided seasonal ice outlooks for the months preceding
the tow of the CIDS concrete drilling structure from Prudhoe Bay to
Russia and provided
Radarsat imagery and ice interpretations to the tow masters during
the critical initial stages of the move through the Beaufort Sea. |
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Glosten Associates
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Oil Barge Safety
for Tidewater Barge Lines, Portland, 1997-99
Dickins Associates acted as an expert advisor to the existing
transportation provider in filing objections to a proposed new overland
pipeline. The technical
work involved comparing the relative environmental safety of pipelines
and vessels for the carriage of refined products, and submitting testimony
to
the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council in Olympia, Washington.
Sakhalin Island Oil and Gas Developments
for an oil industry client, 1995
- 1997
This project used all available satellite imagery over a 25
year period together with US Navy and Japanese ice charts. A database
of historical ice conditions was created for proposed drilling locations,
port sites and tanker routes.
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Beaufort Sea Logistics
for Alaska Clean Seas with SL Ross, 1998
This project evaluated a full range of logistics options to
determine the most effective means of responding to an oil spill in
broken ice. Part of the analysis involved predicting the latest dates
that ice-strengthened barges could access offshore locations.
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Technical Aspects of Deep Draft Shipping to the Western Arctic
for the
Department of Transportation, Government of the Northwest Territories,
1998
This project evaluated the feasibility of supplying ten Western
Arctic Communities, now served by barge, with deep-sea vessels entering
from the
east or west. The report covers expected worst-case ice conditions,
a worldwide inventory of ice capable commercial vessels, an evaluation
of each port
site, and an overview of long-term reliability using existing vessels.
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Neste OY
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Worst Case Ice Conditions at the Red Dog Port Site
for Westmar Consultants
and Simons Vancouver, 1998 and 2000
Dickins worked with structural engineering consultants engaged
by Cominco to design a proposed new dock facility to handle expanded
production being
planned for the Red Dog mine in Alaska.
Voisey's Bay Winter Shipping
for Voisey's Bay Nickel Company, 1996 to 1998
DF Dickins worked with Voisey's Bay Nickel over a period of
three years to evaluate the technical feasibility of winter shipping
into a proposed
new mine site on the Labrador Coast. Work included preparation
of sections of the final Environmental Assessment dealing with the
physical impacts
of winter icebreaking, route investigations, ice studies, remote
sensing interpretation, literature reviews, facilitating workshops
and meetings
on winter shipping and making expert witness presentations before
the Federal Environmental Review Panel.
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Ministry of Defense
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Double Hull Tankers
for BC Environment Lands and Parks, 1995; Ernst & Young,
1995 and; RCG/Haglar Bailly
Dickins Associates was contracted to prepare a concise position
paper for the BC Minister of Environment, summarizing
the engineering,
economics and regulatory issues affecting the timely introduction of double-hulled
tankers on the West Coast. A particular emphasis was placed on the differences
between the Canadian and American regulations governing vessel operations
and design, and the expected benefits of double-hulls in reducing spill
frequency
and consequences.
Icebreaking LNG Tanker Route Evaluation
for ARCO, Exxon, BP, 1993-1994
This two-phase project involved a detailed evaluation of ice
conditions along proposed shipping routes to service several LNG port
options in the
Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Analytical work included extensive use
of ERS-1, Landsat and NOAA imagery.
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NOAA Chart
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Arctic Marine Spill Risk Analysis with Atomic Energy of Canada
for the
Canadian Coast Guard, 1994
Dickins was responsible for developing a statistical profile
of arctic vessel traffic including identification of routes, ship characteristics,
and frequency of transits. Subsequent work involved a ranking of
each NWT
community/port in terms of spill risk.
Evaluation of Escort Tug Benefits
for Canadian Coast Guard (subcontract to Robert Allan Limited), 1993
This project evaluated experiences with
tugs escorting tankers, and an interpreted historical accidents
in three Canadian marine areas
having high levels of tanker traffic: Strait of Juan de Fuca, St. Lawrence
River, and the Bay of Fundy.
User Survey: Sea Ice Information Products
for Ice Services, Environment
Canada, 1993
Thirty personal interviews were conducted with shipping companies
and the Coast Guard to determine the value of sea ice products in marine
operations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Arctic.
Environmental Sensitivity and Risk Analysis along a Tanker Route
for Transport Canada (subcontract to Canarctic Shipping Co. Ltd.), 1992
Dickins Associates evaluated the environmental sensitivity of
a tanker route from the Canadian High Arctic to Montreal. Human use,
biological resources,
special status areas, and shoreline sensitivities were evaluated
on each segment of the route. The final analysis combined the potential
for casualties
with environmental sensitivity to arrive at a risk profile for
the MV Arctic.
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Canarctic (FedNav)
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Ice Conditions on the Western Access Route to Coronation Gulf
for Canarctic Shipping Company Limited (subcontract to CANATEC Consultants),
1992
Polynyas and lead systems were mapped from 20 years of satellite
imagery, with emphasis placed on the western approach route to the
Coronation Gulf,
N.W.T., an area of active mining development. Overall, more than
200 maps of late winter and early spring conditions were produced to
represent conditions
along proposed shipping routes.
The Effects of Proposed New Arctic Shipping Regulations on Commercial Operations
for
Coast Guard Northern, March 1991
This study called for a statistical comparison of vessel access
into different Arctic areas using the existing the system of zones
and dates
and using the new system of ice regimes based on real-time conditions.
The analysis also looked at the potential for steel embrittlement to
further limit the access of commercial ships in certain areas.
Icebreaker Escort Database
for Canadian Coast Guard Northern (subcontract to Norland Science & Engineering),1991
The new Ice Regime Shipping Control System required development
for special cases of ice navigation, such as the benefit of escorts
to following vessels.
Dickins obtained access to ship logs of commercial operators in
order to compile data on escorts by commercial icebreakers.
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Ice Regime Shipping Control System: Workshop
for the Canadian Coast Guard, 1990
Dickins was contracted to organize and report on the results
of a workshop designed to evaluate recent experiences from voyages
to validate the new
ice regime system, an integral part of the proposed revisions to
the CASPPR regulations governing arctic vessel design and operation
in Canadian waters.
Northwest Passage Voyage, October 1990
for Canadian Coast Guard, Arctic Ship Safety, 1990
This voyage was the first practical test of the proposed new
Ice Regime Shipping Control System onboard an industry icebreaker (Gulf
Canada's MV
Ikaluk). Dickins provided a team of two ice scientists to monitor
vessel progress and ice conditions along a route through the historic
Northwest Passage, from the Canadian Beaufort Sea
to Resolute.
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Arctic Computer Database for Assessing Vessel Risk
for Coast Guard Northern, 1988-1989
Dickins revised over 1/2 million cell values describing year-round
environmental conditions throughout the navigable areas of the Canadian
Arctic. This information
was used in an existing Coast Guard program to assess the frequency
of vessel damage in any region of the arctic.
Ice Conditions in the Soviet Arctic
for Wartsila, Helsinki, 1987
This study utilized all available public sources to provide
a statistical summary of ice conditions along the Soviet Northern Sea
Route (Laptev Sea,
Kara Sea, East Siberian Sea and Chukchi Sea). The Soviet Arctic
was divided into 33 environmental zones for presentation of detailed
ice statistics.
Selected Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) images
were used to map leads and thin ice areas along the route. |
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International Polar Transportation Conference
for World's Exposition, Vancouver
Canada May 1986
DF Dickins Associates organized and facilitated a major international
conference of experts from around the world on transportation
systems for polar regions, including themes of aviation, surface transport
and marine
navigation. David Dickins created and chaired a three day technical
program with invited speakers. The event was highly successful with
200 participants.
Dickins produced a two volume bound set of proceedings.
Publications: Marine Transportation
Conferences
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Capt. L. Brigham
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Chukchi Sea Transportation Study
for SOHIO Petroleum (now BP America) subcontract to Intec Engineering,
1986
This study provides a detailed description of marine climate
along tanker transportation routes from the Bering Sea to the Chukchi
Sea lease sale
area. The information was used in technical and economic comparisons
between pipelines and tanker transportation systems.
Ice Conditions Affecting Vessel Design and Operation
for Glosten Associates, Seattle, 1985
This study reviewed all publicly available ice information as
input to the development of a new U.S. flag icebreaking offshore support
vessel optimized
for Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea conditions.
Statistical Summary of Summer Ice Conditions Affecting a Deep Draft Tow
of a Drilling Structure Past Point Barrow, Alaska
for Dome Petroleum Limited, 1982
A proposed structure drawing 30 m of water was used in series
of towing simulations through historical ice conditions, 1968 - 1981.
Results were used to predict
the success rates of completing voyages around Point Barrow.
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Canmar
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Ice Conditions Along Arctic Tanker Routes
for Beaufort Sea Production Environmental Impact Statement (Dome/Gulf/Esso),
1981
A summary report and statistical appendix describe important
characteristics of the different sea ice regimes along tanker routes
east and westbound
from the Canadian Beaufort Sea, through the Northwest Passage from
Baffin Bay and around the coast of Alaska.
Publications: Marine Transportation
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GNWT
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Water Resources of Western Canada - Transportation Use
for Canada West Foundation, 1980
The use of waterways within the Arctic and Hudson Bay drainage
basins was examined with regard to water quality, water levels, traffic
patterns and potential
effects of future developments (resources, hydro-electric and highways).
Evaluation of a Year-Round Shipping Route to Melville Island through
Fury and Hecla Strait
for Petro Canada Exploration, October 1979
This study reviewed year-round ice conditions from the north
Labrador Sea through Hudson Strait to Barrow Strait (via Foxe Basin
and Prince Regent
Inlet) as a potential alternative to the main route proposed for
Arctic Pilot Project deep draft LNG vessels.
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