SYNTHESIS MODEL FOR THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF INLAND CARGO VESSELS TO OPERATE ON THE MAGDALENA RIVER

Abstract

Inland waterways are presented both as a need and an opportunity for developing an intermodal transport system to boost Colombian economic growth. Riverine transportation as part of an intermodal system represents conveying a significant amount of cargo at a low cost and therefore reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To competitively include this cargo transportation alternative in an intermodal context, the development of effective container vessels is required. Most of the Colombian rivers present sedimentary, high flow, and low depth nature. Then, the design of riverine cargo vessels capable of navigating in shallow waters with less brake power requirements is needed. A synthesis model: an automatic and integrated design procedure, has been programmed to generate and evaluate feasible vessel dimensions at a conceptual design stage. Through systematic variations of the main dimensions, this procedure allows evaluating a design space in which the most effective concept-vessel solution is selected. At the end of this procedure, the main characteristics for container vessels in the Magdalena River at a conceptual design stage, are defined. Validation of the synthesis model with a riverine logistic support ship is provided.