Ship Channel Design and Operation

Prepared by the Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute of ASCE.

Ship Channel Design and Operation provides an overview of the design process and operation of deep-draft navigation projects. Ship channels are the connecting link between the ocean shipping lanes and coastal or inland deep water ports. The reliability of ship channels is important to commercial navigation as well as to our national defense interests for rapid deployment of Navy, Army, and Coast Guard vessels. This Manual revises and expands MOP 80.

Topics include:

• Design philosophy;
• Vessel characteristics;
• Hydraulic and weather conditions;
• Channel dimensions;
• Environmental sustainability;
• Dredging and disposal;
• Model studies;
• Coast Guard activities;
• NOAA activities;
• Construction;
• Operations and maintenance;
• Lessons learned; and
• Case histories.

This manual is intended as a design guide for practicing engineers and a reference for government agencies involved with the design and operation of deep draft navigation systems.