Faster, safer, and smarter vessel mooring for container terminals
Cavotec’s MoorMaster™ system brings automation to the critical interface between ship and shore, transforming how container vessels berth and depart. Using powerful vacuum technology, MoorMaster™ automatically secures vessels in seconds—eliminating the need for mooring lines and reducing turnaround times.
Designed for the world’s largest container ships, MoorMaster™ keeps vessels firmly in position during loading and unloading, even in challenging weather and tidal conditions. By minimising vessel movement, the system increases crane productivity, reduces downtime, and improves safety for port personnel.
As part of the transition toward fully automated and electrified container terminals, MoorMaster™ enables faster, more predictable, and more sustainable operations, helping terminals boost throughput and environmental performance alike.
Automated mooring solutions for container terminals
Reducing emissions in container terminal operations
At container terminals, faster, automated mooring with MoorMaster™ reduces the need for tug assistance and enables vessels to connect to shore power within seconds — cutting emissions directly at the berth and improving air quality in nearby communities.
By shortening mooring and turnaround times, MoorMaster™ allows container ships to spend less time in port and sail at lower cruising speeds, reducing overall fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Independent analysis by Starcrest Consulting Group shows that installing MoorMaster™ systems in a single container port can cut up to 20,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually and reduce nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) by around 50 tonnes each year.
Case Study: MoorMaster™ NxG at APM Terminals Tanger Med 2 (TM2)
One of the world’s most advanced container terminals, APM Terminals Tanger Med 2 (TM2), achieved remarkable improvements in operational efficiency after implementing MoorMaster™ NxG. By replacing traditional mooring lines with automated vacuum mooring, TM2 cut mooring-related delays and increased ship-to-shore crane productivity — even in an already high-performing terminal.
The study analysed mooring and unmooring times for around 20 vessels per month and more than 130,000 crane cycles. The results speak for themselves:
- 71% reduction in mooring time (from 40 minutes to 10 minutes)
- 23% reduction in unmooring time (from 13 minutes to 10 minutes)
- 3–11% improvement in crane cycle times, depending on deck position and weather conditions
These gains translate into faster vessel turnarounds, more consistent crane operations, and greater berth productivity — all while simplifying mooring procedures and reducing operational risk.
“Thanks to MoorMaster™, we achieved unprecedented operational efficiency. Mooring times of vessels have reduced by 70%, and vessel stabilization resulted in a measurable increase in crane productivity, allowing us to better serve shipping lines.”
— Keld Pedersen, Head of APMT Terminals Transshipment Hubs
References
Port of Salalah, Oman
Moorings: Two to three a day
Vessels up to LOA 400m
Challenge
- Container port servicing vessels up to 400m LOA
- Severe water issues three months per year during monsoon season
- Productivity (box rate) drops significantly during monsoon causing severe disruption to operations
- No improvement from breakwater
Solution
- MoorMaster™ systems installed at four berths
- Systems covered by Cavotec service agreement with on-site team
Key benefits
- Productivity fully restored and even improved
- Loading/offloading begins sooner due to faster mooring
- Tugs needed for shorter time and employees kept safe during mooring
- Reduced fuel consumption and emissions from tugs and vessel engines
I was a captain of a container ship, and frequently moored my vessel at the Port of Salalah using Cavotec MoorMaster™. Despite challenging berthing conditions due to long waves, Cavotec MoorMaster™ makes mooring safe, easy and fast.
Capt. Vasileios Velmachos (Costamare)
Port of Tanger Med, Morocco
Vessels Up to LOA 400m
Challenge
- Container port servicing the largest container vessels
- Conventional mooring of vessels regarded as a dangerous process
- Mooring with lines took up a lot of time, increasing vessel turnaround times
- Vessel motion negatively impact the crane productivity
Solution
- MoorMaster® system installed on 2 berths
- System supported by a Cavotec Service agreement with on-site dedicated service team
Key benefits
- MoorMaster reduces vessel motion, thereby positively impacting crane productivity
- Due to improved efficiency, call times are expected to be reduced by an average of 2 hours
- Saving 1 hour due to faster mooring and release times
- The system support reduction of direct emissions during ship berthing by more than 90% due to reduced use of tugs and ship engines
Port of San Antonio, Chile
Vessels up to LOA 400m
Challenge
- Container terminal servicing vessels up to 400m LOA
- Severe issues with long waves during Chilean winter season (June to August)
- Productivity (box rate) dropping significantly, disrupting operations
- Snapping mooring lines causing dangerous situations for terminal personnel
Solution
- MoorMaster® system installed on North berth having most long wave issues
- System of 18 MoorMaster® units for fast and safe mooring
Key benefits
- Safer working environment for terminal personnel
- Productivity fully restored, and even improved during winter season
- Loading/offloading begins sooner due to faster mooring
- Resources freed-up as there is less need for tugs, pilots and mooring crews
- Reduced fuel consumption and emissions during docking from tugs and vessels