Ports in Second Life

This month, after the holidays, I thought of three themes that may be of interest to
readers of the magazine Cargo. Remember the strategy of the Port of Aveiro, a port with
a great future, address the basic units that constitute the theoretical port terminals and
reveal what's ports in Second Life, the other world of virtual reality on the Internet.

1. Strategic Plan of the Port of Aveiro (document APA)

Being the subject of Article ports in SL (Second Life), I remembered the port of Aveiro
when the island was that the University of Aveiro has in this virtual world. In fact, one
of the parts of the island of the AU is already a small port of Aveiro, with traditional
boats. It is worth visiting. Time to RL (Real Life).

The Port of Aveiro has 5 terminal handling of goods, namely the Liquid Bulk Terminal,
the Bulk Terminal, North Terminal - Multipurpose Terminal Roro / Container Terminal
and the South - Tray. It also has two specialized terminals in fishing, Largo and Coast
Guard, as well as reservation land for the extension port, a set of 190 hectares for port
activities, industrial and logistics.

The Port of Aveiro is served by a set of road access, with features of motorway, with
great fluidity and without crossing dense urban areas. Additionally, is developing the
rail link, which should be completed in 2009.

The maritime access to the entry of ships with 8 meters of depth and 140 meters in
length. They are developing studies to put the bar to -12.5 m.

In 2005, Ontario has reached the 3.3 million tons moved and 3.35 in 2006, showing a
significant momentum, with an average annual growth of 4.1% in the last decade.

The potential of the port are projects for the oil companies and biodiesel, the possibility
of setting up a zone, the dry ports of Salamanca and the Guard, the short sea shipping
and the problems of congestion and expansion of other ports.

Vision 2015 aims to Aveiro will be one of the ports most dynamic and competitive
Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula in the transport of medium and short distances,
with a large pole of industrial development and logistics.

The three main strategic objectives are: 1) extend the hinterland, 2) realize the potential
of reserve capacity and 3) improve the provision of port services.

2. The Basic Port

Dr Joao Oliveira Martins, former director of APL, asked one day about what was after
all the theoretical basic unit to build a new modern container terminal. Although I have
seen several studies, this simple question implies some reflection and great ability to
simplify and modeling. In the end he drew a possible basic unit for a container terminal.
The model was walking near the following:

This image has a great importance because it constitutes in itself a model for the
construction of a container terminal. This is one module with 300m x 300m, or 9 ha,
with three gateways 100 thousand TEU per year each, that enable an annual capacity of
300 thousand TEU. If we want to create a terminal of 1.5 million TEU, simply put side
by side 5 of these units, with 1.5 km of docks and about 13 to 15 cranes (with
adaptation data model BCEOM).

Obviously this is a simplified view, but allows us to better understand the reality of this
business. The reality always depends on the size and number of ships to serve in the
capacity and speed of the equipment, the type of goods and method of handling the
system of parking, the residence time of the goods at the terminal velocity of the orders
of information system terminal, the capacity of the floor and draft accepted.

It was on this type of model that seemed important to try to understand what the basic
unit for other types of terminals. Will not be as easy as in the case of containers, since
they are much more heterogeneous. But the reality that I know in Lisbon and Setúbal,
developed the following unit, which may be of interest to readers. Others, aware of
other realities, could model and disseminate their knowledge to all learning.

CEU = Car Equivalent Unit (10m2)

3. Ports in Second Life

What is the second life after all?

Second Life is a 3D virtual reality created on the Internet, free access, where each user
has his Avatar (character), which moves in the virtual world from your computer
through which you can visit the thousands of cultural, commercial and existing
personnel in three dimensions and to participate in events. Many companies have their
islands, shops or buildings with information available to users.

For what purpose?

Mercedes, the University of Aveiro, the Ministry of Justice and the BES, among many
others already have their facilities in Second Life. For businesses, the main aim is to
make its three-dimensional web site, with the possibility of holding events, seminars,
launches and openings, or simply provide information and make sales in a store with
personalized service in 3D. For example, it was in Second Life that I launch my virtual
book.

Moreover, the three-dimensionality allows users to visit the facilities and equipment,
interactive or not, they are put in place. It should be noted for example that the island of
Mercedes you can drive a Mercedes prototype vehicle on a road around the island.

What ports are in Second Life?

One of the ports which can be visited in Second Life, doing research and teleportation,
Royi is the port where we can see a cargo ship, a warship, a submarine and several
helicopters. Another port is Victoria, where we see a large pirate ship.

In the port of Amsterdam can walk the river bridge and visit a sailboat. It is worth
making a visit to Port America's Cup, where there are dozens of replicas of the original
boats and with luck we may see a competitive race between real people.

In the city of Ven can enter a caravel and the beautiful French Riviera are mega yachts
available. The port Calderon toasts us with a beautiful port and Camden caravel with
several pirate ships. In the port of Catalonia can visit a caravel and a beautiful
lighthouse.
http://secondlife.com/

Vítor Caldeirinha