Approach channel design

Approach channel design sets the depth, width, and horizontal alignment of the dredged fairway a design vessel uses to reach a port. PIANC splits it into a Concept Design (coarse, deterministic widths) and a Detailed Design (ship-maneuvering simulation). Channel width is built up in beams of the design vessel: a basic maneuvering lane of about 1.3 to 1.8 beams plus additions for wind, cross-current, aids to navigation, bottom type, and cargo hazard, giving a one-way channel near 3.6 to 5 beams and a two-way channel that adds a passing distance and a second lane. Depth is the vessel draft plus gross under-keel clearance covering squat, wave response, and a net safety margin.