LONDON -- (Marketwire) -- 11/05/12 -- Bechtel announced today that a groundbreaking study to improve the safety of shipping ports has entered a new phase. The Research on the Passing Effects on Ships (ROPES) project, an international joint-industry research initiative led by Bechtel, has now moved from computer simulation to testing involving ships in port. The results of the research will set new international guidelines for the design and construction of future ports.

The research investigates the impact of the wash created when ships move in and out of ports. The wash can cause moored ships to come loose. It also affects the safe loading and unloading of vessels, which can lead to dangerous situations particularly during the transfer of oil, gas and hazardous materials.

"In recent years, the size, speed and power of ships have increased dramatically, increasing the size of their wash. The impact of the wash is a serious concern which can result in safety issues, environmental damage and financial loss. Until now, little research has been done on this subject. Our research is identifying the full-effect of a passing ship's wash and what can be done in terms of port design to mitigate that," said Marco Pluijm, Bechtel's senior ports specialist and chair of ROPES.

The research, which began in 2010, is being conducted in multiple phases that have included extensive computer-simulation, scale-model testing, and now full-scale testing in the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. The results of the study are due in 2013.

The ROPES group is comprised of approximately 25 members including port authorities, maritime research institute representatives, pilots, linesmen, consultancies, and hardware suppliers. Bechtel is the only engineering and construction company involved in this initiative.

Bechtel has successfully completed more than 80 port and marine projects across the world, 28 of these in the last decade. These include Jubail Port and Industrial City and Khalifa port and Kizad, which has the first semi-automated container terminal in the region.

Notes to Editors

• Join Marco Pluijm, Bechtel's senior ports specialist, for a Tweet chat on Monday 5th November at 4pm GMT to find out more about the ROPES research project and how it will make ports safer. Send your questions via Twitter (@Bechtel) using #safeports.
• A video about ROPES and B-roll footage including clips from Marco Pluijm, Bechtel, Herm Jan van Wijhe, Port of Rotterdam and Martijn de Jong, Deltares are available for download at: http://www.bechtel.com/ROPESMedia

About Bechtel
Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, project management and construction companies in the world. Bechtel operates through five global business units that specialize in civil infrastructure; power generation, communications and transmission; mining and metals; oil, gas and chemicals; and government services.

Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 22,000 projects in 140 countries on all seven continents. Today, our 53,000 employees team with customers, partners and suppliers on diverse projects in nearly 50 countries. We stand apart for our ability to get the job done right -- no matter how big, how complex or how remote. www.bechtel.com

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