Coastal energy transportation study. Phase 3. Volume 1. alternative tchnologies for transporting and handling export coal

Recent studies of the world coal dilemna have projected substantial increases in steam coal trade during the next two decades. Much of it will move by ships and will be destined for Western Europe and Pacific Rim countries where agressive policies to reduce OPEC oil dependence have already been formulated. Because most of the coal needed to satisfy this growing demand will have to be imported, it is likely that world trade in steam coal would expand several fold by the year 2000. Most promising of the proposals are the following new concepts or modifications of existing technologies: mine-to-ship systems, midstream transfer, barge-carrying vessels, shallow-draft vessels, and offshore deepwater concepts.