Article transport system and article transport method

Abstract

This article transport system makes it possible to transport articles between land and a waterborne facility, said system comprising: an onshore temporary placement site at which to temporarily place the articles that are to be transported between the land and the waterborne facility; the waterborne facility, which is arranged on the water in a state of having been berthed at the onshore temporary placement site, and at which the articles can be arranged; a floating transporter which is able to transport the articles between the waterborne facility and the land by navigating over the water; and a transport device able to transport the articles between the waterborne facility and the onshore temporary placement site as well as between the waterborne facility and the floating transporter. The transport device transports the articles having a physical feature greater than a predetermined value between the waterborne facility and the floating transporter.

Description

Goods transport system and goods transport method

[0001] This disclosure relates to an article transport system and an article transport method.

[0002] Traditionally, there are floating facilities located on the water, such as the sea. Examples of floating facilities include offshore plants such as FLNG (Floating Liquified Natural Gas Production Facilities). In operating floating facilities, it is necessary to transport various items, such as equipment to be serviced, to and from the floating facilities. In this process, goods are transported between land and the floating facilities.

[0003] Goods loaded onto and unloaded from floating facilities are transported to designated locations (such as maintenance facilities) via temporary storage areas outside the floating facilities or land-based facilities. Goods transported between land and floating facilities include heavy items such as containers weighing over 30 tons. Heavier items require more effort to transport than lighter items. Therefore, there is a need for efficient transport systems and methods for handling heavy items like containers weighing over 30 tons.

[0004] One method for transporting heavy items is the method for loading and unloading heavy cargo from a ship, as described in Patent Document 1. The method for loading and unloading heavy cargo from a ship, as described in Patent Document 1, is a method for transferring a heavy object between a first station fixed vertically and a second station whose vertical position is variable according to the load, and includes the steps of: moving a lifting means for lifting the object transferred to the first station and the object horizontally toward the second station along a first support means extending from above the first station to the edge of the second station; moving the lifting means and the object from the first support means onto a second support means mounted on the second station so as to be vertically movable relative to the second station; and lowering the object to the second station. The first station is located on a quay, and the second station is located on a ship.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 4,175,908

[0006] However, when transporting heavy items between land and water facilities via temporary storage areas or land-based equipment provided on land, there is a risk that the temporary storage areas or land-based equipment used during the transportation of the items will be loaded with the weight of the items. In this case, it is necessary to carefully transport the items so as to reduce the load on the temporary storage areas and land-based equipment, or to reinforce the temporary storage areas and land-based equipment so that they can withstand the load of the items, which may reduce the transportation efficiency of the items.

[0007] Further, when the size of the item to be transported is too large for the transportation route via the temporary storage area or land-based equipment provided on land, there is a possibility that it will be difficult to transport the item, or that the item and the equipment on the transportation route may be damaged when the item contacts the wall, floor surface, etc. on the transportation route. In this case, for example, it is necessary to adjust the orientation of the item while transporting it, which may reduce the transportation efficiency of the item. Therefore, a transportation system that can efficiently transport items regardless of the physical characteristics (such as weight and size) of the items is required.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an article transportation system and an article transportation method capable of efficiently transporting articles between land and water facilities.

[0009] To solve the above problems, the present disclosure proposes the following means. An article transportation system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is an article transportation system capable of transporting articles between land and water facilities, including a land-based temporary storage area for temporarily storing the articles to be transported between the land and the water facilities, a water facility disposed on water in a state of being ashore on the land-based temporary storage area and capable of disposing the articles, a floating body for transportation capable of transporting the articles between the water facility and the land by navigating on the water, and a transportation device capable of transporting the articles between the water facility and the land-based temporary storage area and between the water facility and the floating body for transportation. The transportation device transports the articles having a physical characteristic larger than a predetermined value between the water facility and the floating body for transportation.

[0010] A method for transporting articles according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a method for transporting articles between land and a water facility, comprising a land temporary storage area for temporarily storing articles to be transported between land and a water facility, the water facility being positioned on the water while docked at the land temporary storage area, and a transport floating body capable of transporting the articles between the water facility and the land by navigating the water, and a transport device capable of transporting the articles between the water facility and the water facility, wherein the transport device transports articles whose physical characteristics are greater than a predetermined value between the water facility and the transport floating body.

[0011] The article transport system and article transport method described herein provide an article transport system and article transport method that can efficiently transport articles between land and water facilities.

[0012] This is a schematic diagram showing an article transport system according to the first embodiment. This is a flowchart showing an example of an article transport method in the article transport system. This is a schematic diagram showing an article transport system according to the second embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the transport device included in the article transport system. This is a schematic diagram showing an article transport system according to the third embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing an article transport system according to the fourth embodiment.

[0013] (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the article transport system 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the article transport system 100 as viewed from vertically above.

[0014] The goods transport system 100 comprises land-based equipment 10, a pier 20, water-based equipment (offshore equipment) 30, a transport float 40, a transport device 50, and a gas line 60. In this embodiment, the goods transport system 100 is a goods transport system capable of transporting goods between land LA and offshore equipment 30 docked at a pier 20 extending from land LA to water-based OS. Water-based OS refers to water such as the sea or a lake where ships can navigate.

[0015] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the direction in which the offshore equipment 30 docks with the pier 20 is defined as "first direction (docking direction) A," the side where land LA is located is defined as "land side A1" in docking direction A, and the opposite side is defined as "offshore side (water side) A2" in docking direction A. Furthermore, the vertical direction and the direction perpendicular to docking direction A are defined as "second direction B."

[0016] For example, the offshore equipment 30 is positioned on the water OS with its side facing the pier 20 in the berthing direction A. In this embodiment, the width direction of the offshore equipment 30 coincides with the berthing direction A. Also, the second direction B, which is perpendicular to the width direction (berthing direction A) of the offshore equipment 30, coincides with the longitudinal direction of the offshore equipment 30. In the following description, the second direction B may also be referred to as the "longitudinal direction B". Furthermore, one side of the longitudinal direction (second direction) B is defined as "forward B1", and the other side is defined as "rear B2" in the longitudinal direction B.

[0017] The land-based facility 10 is a facility installed on land LA, and is, for example, a road or other facility on which a vehicle carrying goods transported between land LA and offshore facility 30 travels when transporting the goods.

[0018] The land-based equipment 10 can be any equipment capable of transporting goods between the land-based LA and the offshore equipment 30, and may include, for example, equipment equipped with a conveying device such as a belt conveyor.

[0019] The pier 20 is a structure used for mooring offshore plants and other vessels, and is also called a jetty. The pier 20 is located on the offshore side A2 of the land-based facilities 10. The pier 20 is equipped with, for example, mooring facilities for ships and curbs to prevent liquid spills during handling operations of chemical substances and fuels. In addition, a temporary land-based storage area 21 is provided at the pier 20.

[0020] The land-based temporary storage area 21 is an area where goods being transported from land LA to offshore facilities 30 and goods being transported from offshore facilities 30 are temporarily stored. When goods are transported from land LA to offshore facilities 30, for example, a vehicle loaded with goods arrives at the pier 20 or its vicinity via land facilities 10, and the goods unloaded from the vehicle are temporarily stored in the land-based temporary storage area 21.

[0021] Furthermore, when unloading goods from the offshore equipment 30, for example, the goods unloaded from the offshore equipment 30 are temporarily placed in the land-based temporary storage area 21, and the goods temporarily placed in the land-based temporary storage area 21 are loaded onto vehicles and transported to a designated location on land LA. The pier 20 is connected to the land-based equipment 10 by a transport route 22.

[0022] The transport route 22 is a structure that connects the land-based facilities 10 and the pier 20, and is capable of carrying vehicles transporting goods. It is also called a trestle. The pier 20 is in contact with the water surface OS, for example, on the seaward side A2 and in the second direction B.

[0023] In this embodiment, the transport path 22 is connected to the land side A1 of the pier 20, extends from the pier 20 to the land side A1, and is connected to the land equipment 10. However, the transport path 22 may not connect the pier 20 and the land equipment 10 via the shortest path, but may be connected to the front B1 or rear B2 of the pier 20 and extend from the pier 20 to the land equipment 10 in a winding manner.

[0024] The offshore facility 30 is, for example, an offshore plant such as an FLNG (Floating Liquified Natural Gas Production Facility). The offshore facility 30 is not limited to an offshore plant, and may also be, for example, an offshore wind power generation facility.

[0025] The offshore equipment 30 may be a floating type of offshore equipment that is placed on the water surface OS while floating on the sea surface or lake surface, or it may be a fixed-bottom type of offshore equipment that is placed on the water surface OS while fixed to the seabed or lakebed. The offshore equipment 30 may be configured to allow the water surface OS to be navigable, or it may be configured to be non-navigable. In this embodiment, the case in which the offshore equipment 30 is FLNG will be mainly described.

[0026] In this embodiment, the offshore equipment 30 is equipment that operates the plant by being constantly supplied with predetermined fluids, electricity, etc., from the land LA. The devices provided by the offshore equipment 30 operate by receiving input (for example, fluids, electricity, etc.) from the land LA.

[0027] The offshore facility 30 is provided with a floating temporary storage area 31. The floating temporary storage area 31 is an area where goods are temporarily stored before being transported from the offshore facility 30 to land LA, or goods that have been brought into the offshore facility 30, and is also called a laydown.

[0028] In this embodiment, the floating temporary storage area 31 includes a first temporary storage area 32 and a second temporary storage area 33. The first temporary storage area 32 is located on the landward side A1 of the second temporary storage area 33 and is positioned opposite the land-based temporary storage area 21 in the shoreing direction A.

[0029] The transport float 40 is a vessel capable of transporting goods between land LA and offshore equipment 30 by navigating the water OS, and is, for example, a barge, a pontoon, or a supply ship. When goods are being transported from offshore equipment 30 to the transport float 40, or when goods are being transported from the transport float 40 to offshore equipment 30, the transport float 40 is positioned alongside the offshore equipment 30. In this embodiment, the transport float 40 is positioned alongside the offshore side A2 of the offshore equipment 30, near the second temporary storage area 33.

[0030] The transport device 50 is a device capable of transporting goods between the offshore equipment 30 and the onshore temporary storage area 21, or between the offshore equipment 30 and the transport floating body 40. As the transport device 50, for example, a crane device such as a pedestal crane, davit crane, jib crane, or mobile crane can be used. Note that LNG (Liquidated Natural Gas) is not included in the goods transported by the transport device 50.

[0031] The conveying device 50 can convey articles within the conveying area R. In this embodiment, the conveying device 50 includes a first conveying device 51 and a second conveying device 52. The conveying area R in which the conveying device 50 can convey articles includes a first conveying area R1 in which the first conveying device 51 can convey articles and a second conveying area R2 in which the second conveying device 52 can convey articles.

[0032] The first transport device 51 is a transport device that transports goods between the first temporary storage area 32 of the offshore equipment 30 and the land-based temporary storage area 21. The first temporary storage area 32 and the land-based temporary storage area 21 are located in an area (first transport area R1) from which the first transport device 51 can transport goods.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first transport device 51 is positioned on the offshore facility 30 between the first temporary storage area 32 and the onshore temporary storage area 21. The first transport device 51 is, for example, a crane device installed on the offshore facility 30 and is capable of transporting articles placed in a circular first transport area R1 centered on the first transport device 51. When the first transport device 51 is a crane device, the first transport area R1 is the area within the rotation radius of the first transport device 51. Note that the first transport area R1 is not limited to a circular shape.

[0034] The second transport device 52 is a transport device that transports goods between the second temporary storage area 33 of the offshore equipment 30 and the transport floating body 40. The second temporary storage area 33 is located in an area (second transport area R2) from which the second transport device 52 can transport goods. When goods are loaded into or unloaded from the second temporary storage area 33, the transport floating body 40 is located in the second transport area R2.

[0035] In this embodiment, the second transport device 52 is positioned on the offshore side A2 of the second temporary storage area 33 on the offshore equipment 30. The second transport device 52 is, for example, a crane device installed on the offshore equipment 30 and is capable of transporting articles placed in a circular second transport area R2 centered on the second transport device 52. When the second transport device 52 is a crane device, the second transport area R2 is the area within the rotation radius of the second transport device 52. Note that the second transport area R2 is not limited to a circular shape. In this embodiment, a part of the second transport area R2 overlaps with the first transport area R1 as shown in Figure 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the first temporary storage area 32 and the second temporary storage area 33 are arranged between the first transport device 51 and the second transport device 52. The first temporary storage area 32 and the second temporary storage area 33 are rectangular areas of approximately the same size and are adjacent to each other in the docking direction A. The first transport device 51 and the second transport device 52 are arranged, for example, on the extension of the diagonal of the rectangular area formed by combining the first temporary storage area 32 and the second temporary storage area 33. The transport device 50 is not limited to the above configuration and only needs to be capable of transporting goods between the floating temporary storage area 31 and the land-based temporary storage area 21 or the transport floating body 40.

[0037] The gas line 60 comprises a land-side gas line 61, a water-side gas line (offshore gas line) 62, and a connection section 63. The offshore facility 30 is, for example, a facility that produces liquefied natural gas from natural gas supplied from a wellhead of a gas field located on land LA. The gas line 60 is a pipeline that supplies natural gas from the wellhead to the offshore facility 30.

[0038] Furthermore, the natural gas supplied to the offshore facility 30 via the gas line 60 is not limited to natural gas supplied directly from the wellhead; for example, it may be natural gas that has been pre-treated to remove impurities.

[0039] Natural gas is supplied from the land LA to the offshore facility 30 via a land-side gas line 61 extending from the land LA towards the offshore facility 30 and an offshore gas line 62 installed at the offshore facility 30. The land-side gas line 61 and the offshore gas line 62 are connected by a joint 63.

[0040] In this embodiment, the end portion 61a on the connection portion 63 side of the land-side gas line 61, the connection portion 63, and the offshore gas line 62 are arranged in the first transport area R1. For example, as shown in Figure 1, when the land-side gas line 61 and the offshore gas line 62 extend in a straight line in the shoreing direction A, the end portion 61a of the land-side gas line 61 indicates the offshore end portion A2 of the land-side gas line 61.

[0041] When goods are brought into the offshore facility 30, the goods to be brought into the offshore facility 30 are temporarily stored in at least one of the land-based temporary storage area 21 and the transport floating body 40. Also, when goods are removed from the offshore facility 30, the goods to be removed are temporarily stored in at least one of the first temporary storage area 32 and the second temporary storage area 33.

[0042] The items removed from the offshore facility 30 are, for example, the equipment that makes up the natural gas liquefaction unit used in the offshore facility 30. The equipment that makes up the natural gas liquefaction unit is removed from the offshore facility 30 and transported to land LA for periodic maintenance and repairs in case of malfunction.

[0043] The articles carried out from the offshore facility 30 are, for example, conveyed from a predetermined location within the offshore facility 30 to the floating temporary storage area 31 and temporarily stored in the floating temporary storage area 31. At this time, the articles are conveyed by a conveyance device (local-purpose conveyance device) such as a monorail (trolley beam), a jib crane, a chain block, a mobile temporary lifting device (e.g., an A-frame, a floor crane, or a counterbalance crane, etc.), a ceiling traveling crane, or a trolley hoist. In the present embodiment, the local-purpose conveyance device is a conveyance device mainly for conveying articles within the offshore facility 30.

[0044] Next, the article conveyance method in the article conveyance system 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the article conveyance method in the article conveyance system 100.

[0045] The article conveyance method in the article conveyance system 100 is a method of conveying articles by the conveyance device 50 provided in the article conveyance system 100. The article conveyance system 100 conveys articles between the offshore facility 30 and the onshore temporary storage area 21 or the conveyance floating body 40 by the conveyance device 50, thereby conveying articles between the land LA and the offshore facility 30. Hereinafter, the article conveyance method when mainly conveying articles from the offshore facility 30 to the land LA will be described.

[0046] (Step S10) In the article conveyance method in the article conveyance system 100, first, a physical feature amount acquisition step (step S10) is performed. In step S10, the physical feature amount of the article to be conveyed between the land LA and the offshore facility 30 is acquired.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the physical feature amount of the article indicates the weight of the article and the size in the shape of the article. In the present embodiment, mainly, the article conveyance method when using the weight of the article as the physical feature amount will be described. When using the weight of the article as the physical feature amount, in step S10, the weight of the article to be conveyed between the land LA and the offshore facility 30 is acquired.

[0048] In the following description, among the articles transported between the land LA and the offshore facility 30, an article with a physical feature quantity below a predetermined value is referred to as a "first article", and an article with a physical feature quantity greater than the predetermined value is referred to as a "second article". When using the weight of the article as the physical feature quantity, the first article is an article with a weight below a predetermined weight (light article), and the second article is an article with a weight greater than the predetermined weight (heavy article).

[0049] (Step S20) Next, in the article transportation method in the article transportation system 100, a physical feature quantity determination step (Step S20) is performed. In Step S20, it is determined whether the physical feature quantity of the article is below a predetermined value. When it is determined that the physical feature quantity of the article in the article transportation system 100 is below a predetermined value, the process proceeds to Step S30. Also, when it is determined that the physical feature quantity of the article in the article transportation system 100 is greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to Step S40.

[0050] When using the weight of the article as the physical feature quantity, in Step S20, it is determined whether the weight of the article is below a predetermined weight. When it is determined that the weight of the article in the article transportation system 100 is below a predetermined weight, the process proceeds to Step S30. Also, when it is determined that the weight of the article in the article transportation system 100 is greater than the predetermined weight, the process proceeds to Step S40.

[0051] (Step S30) In Step S30 (land transportation step), the first article with a physical feature quantity below a predetermined value is temporarily placed at the first temporary storage area 32 on the offshore facility 30. The article transportation system 100 transports the first article from the first temporary storage area 32 to the land temporary storage area 21 by the first transport device 51.

[0052] The first article transported from the first temporary storage area 32 to the land temporary storage area 21 is loaded onto a vehicle such as a transport trailer, for example. The vehicle loaded with the first article travels on the transport route 22, heads from the pier 20 towards the land facility 10, passes through the land facility 10, and transports the first article to a predetermined location on the land LA.

[0053] Here, when using the weight of an item as a physical characteristic, the predetermined value (weight) of the item is, for example, 30 tons. Lightweight items are items weighing 30 tons or less, such as 10-foot or 20-foot containers or container tanks. Therefore, the pier 20 and transport path 22 are of a size and strength that allows transport trailers loaded with lightweight items, which are 10-foot or 20-foot containers or container tanks, to travel on them.

[0054] (Step S40) When the item to be transported between the land LA and the offshore equipment 30 is the second item, the item transport system 100 performs step S40 (water transport process).

[0055] When using the weight of an item as a physical characteristic, the item transport system 100 performs step S40 when the item being transported between the land LA and the offshore facility 30 is a heavy item. A heavy item is, for example, an item weighing more than 30 tons, or a container or container tank larger than 20 feet.

[0056] In step S40, the second item whose physical characteristics are greater than a predetermined value is temporarily placed in the second temporary storage area 33 on the offshore equipment 30. The item transport system 100 transports the second item from the second temporary storage area 33 to the transport floating body 40 using the second transport device 52.

[0057] The transport float 40, loaded with the second item, navigates the water OS and transports the second item to a designated point (destination) on land LA. Since the second item, unloaded from the offshore equipment 30, is transported by the transport float 40, it is delivered to the destination without passing through the pier 20 and transport route 22.

[0058] The article transport operation by the article transport system 100 is completed when the transport of the first article in step S30 or the transport of the second article in step S40 is completed. In this way, the article transport system 100 transports the first article, whose physical characteristics (e.g., weight) are less than or equal to a predetermined value, between the offshore equipment 30 and the land-based temporary storage area 21, and transports the second article, whose physical characteristics are greater than a predetermined value, between the offshore equipment 30 and the transport float 40.

[0059] When the weight of an item is used as a physical characteristic, the item transport system 100 transports the first item (light item), whose weight is less than or equal to a predetermined weight, between the offshore equipment 30 and the land-based temporary storage area 21, and transports the second item (heavy item), whose weight is greater than the predetermined weight, between the offshore equipment 30 and the transport float 40.

[0060] Therefore, the pier 20 and transport path 22 only need to have enough strength to withstand the weight of lightweight items, and can be designed with a lower load capacity compared to cases where they need to withstand the weight of heavy items. As a result, the item transport system 100 can efficiently transport heavy items without requiring the pier 20 and transport path 22 to be heavy-duty structures.

[0061] Furthermore, when the size of the article is used as a physical characteristic, the article transport system 100 transports the first article, whose size is less than or equal to a predetermined dimension, between the offshore equipment 30 and the land-based temporary storage area 21, and transports the second article, whose size is larger than the predetermined dimension, between the offshore equipment 30 and the transport floating body 40.

[0062] Therefore, the pier 20 and transport path 22 only need to be large and shaped to transport at least the first item, and can be designed with less footprint and a simpler structure compared to when they need to be large and shaped to transport a second item that is larger than the first item. As a result, the item transport system 100 can efficiently transport the larger second item without requiring the pier 20 and transport path 22 to be excessively large equipment.

[0063] In the method of transporting goods using the goods transport system 100, the same steps shown in Figure 2 are carried out when transporting goods from a land LA to offshore equipment 30. When the goods to be transported from the land LA to offshore equipment 30 are the first goods, the first goods are first temporarily placed in the land temporary storage area 21. At this time, the first goods are transported from a predetermined point (source of transport) on the land LA to the pier 20 by a transport vehicle such as a transport trailer, and then unloaded from the transport vehicle into the land temporary storage area 21.

[0064] The goods transport system 100 uses the first transport device 51 to transport the first goods, which have been temporarily stored at the land-based temporary storage area 21, to the first temporary storage area 32. In this way, the first goods are transported from land-based LA to offshore equipment 30.

[0065] Furthermore, when the goods to be transported from land LA to the offshore facility 30 are the second goods, the second goods are transported from the source at land LA to the offshore facility 30 by the transport float 40. The transport float 40 loaded with the second goods is moored alongside the offshore facility 30. At this time, the transport float 40 is located in the second transport area R2.

[0066] The goods transport system 100 uses a second transport device 52 to transport the second goods loaded on the transport float 40 to the second temporary storage area 33. This transports the second goods from land LA to the offshore facility 30.

[0067] Thus, even when transporting goods from land LA to offshore equipment 30, the goods transport system 100 can transport the second goods without passing through the pier 20 or transport route 22, just as when transporting goods from offshore equipment 30 to land LA. Therefore, the goods transport system 100 can efficiently transport the second goods, which have large physical characteristics (weight and size).

[0068] In the following explanation, the transport route for goods between the land LA and the offshore facility 30 via the pier 20 will also be referred to as the "land route," and the transport route for goods between the land LA and the offshore facility 30 via the transport floating body 40 will also be referred to as the "offshore route (water route)."

[0069] In this embodiment, of the articles transported from the offshore equipment 30 to the land LA, the first article is temporarily stored in the first temporary storage area 32, and the second article is temporarily stored in the second temporary storage area 33. In step S10 described above, the weight or size of the articles is obtained before the articles are temporarily stored in the first temporary storage area 32 or the second temporary storage area 33.

[0070] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the first temporary storage area 32 is located on the landward side A1 from the second temporary storage area 33, and is positioned opposite the land-based temporary storage area 21 in the berthing direction A. The transport float 40 is moored alongside the offshore equipment 30 while facing the second temporary storage area 33 in the berthing direction A.

[0071] Since the land-based temporary storage area 21 and the first temporary storage area 32 are located in the first transport area R1, the first transport device 51 can transport the first item between the land-based temporary storage area 21 and the first temporary storage area 32. Furthermore, since the transport float 40 and the second temporary storage area 33 are located in the second transport area R2, the second transport device 52 can transport the second item between the transport float 40 and the second temporary storage area 33. As a result, the item transport system 100 can transport the first item via a land route and the second item via an offshore route, enabling efficient transport of items between the land LA and the offshore equipment 30.

[0072] Furthermore, the transport float 40 only needs to be positioned in a location where the second item can be transported between the transport float 40 and the second temporary storage area 33 by the second transport device 52; the entire transport float 40 does not need to be located in the second transport area R2. For example, the transport float 40 is provided with a predetermined area (second item storage area) on which the second item is loaded. The transport float 40 is moored alongside the offshore equipment 30 such that the second item storage area on the transport float 40 is located in the second transport area R2. This allows the second transport device 52 to transport the second item between the second temporary storage area 33 on the offshore equipment 30 and the second item storage area on the transport float 40.

[0073] As described above, the end portion 61a of the land-side gas line 61 on the connection portion 63 side, the offshore gas line 62, and the connection portion 63 are located in the first transport area R1. The goods transport system 100 can transport the end portion 61a of the land-side gas line 61, the offshore gas line 62, and the connection portion 63 by the first transport device 51. Therefore, by using the first transport device 51, the goods transport system 100 can easily maintain the gas line 60.

[0074] The article transport system 100 of this embodiment includes a land-based temporary storage area 21 for temporarily storing articles to be transported between the land-based temporary storage area 21 and the offshore equipment 30, offshore equipment 30 positioned on the water OS while docked at the land-based temporary storage area 21 and capable of arranging articles, a transport float 40 capable of transporting articles between the offshore equipment 30 and the land-based temporary storage area 21 by navigating the water OS, and a transport device 50 capable of transporting articles between the offshore equipment 30 and the land-based temporary storage area 21 and between the offshore equipment 30 and the transport float 40. The transport device 50 transports articles with physical characteristics greater than a predetermined value between the offshore equipment 30 and the transport float 40.

[0075] The article transport method of this embodiment is an article transport method using a transport device 50 capable of transporting articles between offshore equipment 30, a land-based temporary storage area 21, and a transport floating body 40, and includes a water transport process S40 in which articles with physical characteristics larger than a predetermined value are transported between the offshore equipment 30 and the transport floating body 40 by the transport device 50.

[0076] According to the article transport system 100 and article transport method of this embodiment, articles with large physical characteristics such as weight and size (second articles) can be transported between the transport floating body 40 and the offshore equipment 30, rather than between the land-based temporary storage area 21 and the offshore equipment 30, thereby enabling efficient transport of articles with large physical characteristics between the land-based LA and the offshore equipment 30.

[0077] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. In the following description, components that are common to those already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0078] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the article transport system 100A according to the second embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the article transport system 100A as viewed from vertically above. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the transport device 50A included in the article transport system 100A.

[0079] The goods transport system 100A comprises land-based equipment 10, a pier 20, offshore equipment 30, a transport floating body 40, a transport device 50A, and a gas line 60. In this embodiment, a temporary storage area 31A on the floating body is provided on the offshore equipment 30 for temporarily storing the first and second goods.

[0080] As shown in Figure 4, the transport device 50A comprises a drive unit 1, a detection unit 2, and a control device 3. The transport area RA, in which the transport device 50A can transport articles, includes a temporary storage area 21 on land, a temporary storage area 31A on a floating structure, and a transport floating structure 40. The drive unit 1 is a drive mechanism that transports articles when the transport device 50A transports articles between the temporary storage area 31A on the floating structure and the temporary storage area 21 on land or the transport floating structure 40.

[0081] The drive unit 1 may include, for example, a hook and jib for holding and moving an object, and a swivel mechanism for rotating the hook and jib. The drive unit 1 may also include a moving mechanism such as caterpillar tracks or wheels that movably support the conveying device 50A.

[0082] The detection unit 2 is a sensor, such as a weight sensor, capable of detecting the weight of an item being transported by the drive unit 1. For example, the detection unit 2 detects the weight of an item lifted by the drive unit 1. In this embodiment, the item transport system 100A performs step S10 shown in Figure 2 by obtaining the weight of the item using the detection unit 2. The detection unit 2 transmits information including the detected weight of the item (weight information) to the control device 3.

[0083] The control device 3 is a control device capable of controlling part or all of the transport device 50A. The control device 3 is, for example, a program-executable device (computer) equipped with a processor, memory, and storage unit. Each function of the control device 3 is realized by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing a program stored in program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The memory unit is implemented using flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0084] The control device 3 comprises an acquisition unit 3a, a determination unit 3b, and a drive instruction unit 3c. The acquisition unit 3a acquires the weight information from the detection unit 2. The acquisition unit 3a transmits the acquired weight information to the determination unit 3b.

[0085] The determination unit 3b performs the determination in step S20 shown in Figure 2 based on the received weight information. Specifically, the determination unit 3b determines whether the weight of the item acquired by the detection unit 2 in step S10 is less than or equal to a predetermined weight.

[0086] The drive instruction unit 3c controls the drive unit 1 based on the determination result of the determination unit 3b. When the determination unit 3b determines that the item lifted by the drive unit 1 is a lightweight item, the drive instruction unit 3c controls the drive unit 1 to transport the lightweight item to the temporary ground storage area 21. In other words, the transport device 50A performs step S30 shown in Figure 2.

[0087] Furthermore, when the drive instruction unit 3c determines that the item lifted by the drive unit 1 is a heavy item, the determination unit 3b controls the drive unit 1 to transport the heavy item to the transport float 40. In other words, the transport device 50A performs step S40 shown in Figure 2.

[0088] When transporting lightweight items between the land-based temporary storage area 21 and the floating temporary storage area 31A, the transport device 50A may move on the offshore equipment 30 and perform the transport operation in a location where it is easy to transport lightweight items (for example, near the land-based temporary storage area 21). Also, when transporting heavy items between the transport floating body 40 and the floating temporary storage area 31A, the transport device 50A may move on the offshore equipment 30 and perform the transport operation in a location where it is easy to transport heavy items (for example, near the transport floating body 40).

[0089] The control device 3 may be located outside the transport device 50A. In this case, the drive unit 1 and detection unit 2 of the transport device 50A are configured to communicate with the control device 3 located outside the transport device 50A.

[0090] When the size of an item is used as a physical feature, the detection unit 2 may be a sensor capable of detecting the size of the item. Alternatively, the control device 3 may perform a determination in step S20 based on the size of the item detected by the detection unit 2, and transport the item via a land route or an ocean route by controlling the drive unit 1 based on the determination result.

[0091] According to the article transport system 100A of this embodiment, the route for transporting articles (land route or offshore route) is determined by the control device 3, and articles can be transported between the offshore equipment 30 and the land temporary storage area 21 or the transport floating body 40 based on the determination result of the control device 3. As a result, there is no need to distinguish between the temporary storage areas for the first article and the second article, so articles can be transported more efficiently between the land LA and the offshore equipment 30.

[0092] (Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the article transport system 100B according to the third embodiment. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the article transport system 100B as viewed from vertically above.

[0093] The goods transport system 100B comprises land-based equipment 10, a pier 20, offshore equipment 30, a transport float 40, a transport device 50B, and a gas line 60. In this embodiment, the transport device 50B is provided outside the offshore equipment 30. The transport device 50B includes a first transport device 51B and a second transport device 52B.

[0094] The first transport device 51B is installed on the pier 20 and is a transport device that transports the first item between the land-based temporary storage area 21 and the first temporary storage area 32. The land-based temporary storage area 21 and the first temporary storage area 32 are located within the first transport area R1, which is within which the first transport device 51B can transport the item.

[0095] The first conveying device 51B may be a fixed conveying device fixed on the pier 20, or a mobile conveying device that can move on the pier 20. If the first conveying device 51B is a mobile conveying device, for example, the first conveying device 51B can travel along the conveying path 22 and move back and forth between the land facilities 10 and the pier 20. In this case, the conveying path 22 is designed so that the first conveying device 51B can travel on it.

[0096] The second conveying device 52B is installed on the conveying float 40 and is a conveying device that conveys the second item between the conveying float 40 and the second temporary storage area 33. The conveying float 40 and the second temporary storage area 33 are arranged within the second conveying area R2, which is capable of conveying the item by the second conveying device 52B.

[0097] The offshore facility 30 is equipped with devices such as a natural gas liquefaction unit. By installing the conveying device 50B outside the offshore facility 30, it is possible to prevent the space inside the offshore facility 30 from being compressed by the conveying device 50B. The goods conveying system 100B can convey goods using the conveying device 50B while ensuring sufficient space inside the offshore facility 30 where the predetermined devices such as the natural gas liquefaction unit are installed.

[0098] (Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the article transport system 100C according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the article transport system 100C as viewed from vertically above.

[0099] The goods transport system 100C comprises land-based equipment 10, a pier 20, offshore equipment 30, a transport floating body 40, a transport device 50C, and a gas line 60. In this embodiment, the floating temporary storage area 31C provided on the offshore equipment 30 includes a first temporary storage area 32C and a second temporary storage area 33C, which are spaced apart from each other in the second direction B.

[0100] The first temporary storage area 32C is an area where the first item is mainly temporarily stored, and is positioned opposite the land-based temporary storage area 21 in the berthing direction A. When the transport float 40 is moored alongside the offshore equipment 30, the second temporary storage area 33C is positioned opposite the transport float 40 in the berthing direction A. The second temporary storage area 33C is an area where the second item is mainly temporarily stored. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the second temporary storage area 33C is located aft B2 compared to the first temporary storage area 32C.

[0101] The conveying device 50C includes a first conveying device 51C positioned in a location corresponding to the first temporary storage area 32C, and a second conveying device 52C positioned in a location corresponding to the second temporary storage area 33C. Furthermore, the conveying area RC in which the conveying device 50C can convey articles includes a first conveying area RC1 in which the first conveying device 51C can convey articles, and a second conveying area RC2 in which the second conveying device 52C can convey articles.

[0102] The land-based temporary storage area 21 and the first temporary storage area 32C are located in the first transport area RC1. The first transport device 51C transports the first item between the land-based temporary storage area 21 and the first temporary storage area 32C.

[0103] With the transport float 40 moored alongside the offshore equipment 30, the transport float 40 and the second temporary storage area 33C are positioned in the second transport area RC2. The second transport device 52C transports the second item between the transport float 40 and the second temporary storage area 33C.

[0104] The first conveying device 51C and the second conveying device 52C are positioned at locations corresponding to the first temporary storage area 32C and the second temporary storage area 33C, which are spaced apart from each other in the second direction B, and are therefore provided spaced apart from each other in the second direction B.

[0105] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first transport area RC1 and the second transport area RC2 do not overlap with each other. Even when the first transport area RC1 and the second transport area RC2 are arranged without overlapping, by providing the first transport device 51C near the land temporary storage area 21 and the first temporary storage area 32C, and providing the second transport device 52C near the transport floating body 40 and the second temporary storage area 33C, goods can be efficiently transported between the land LA and the offshore facility 30 by the first transport device 51C and the second transport device 52C.

[0106] Thus, in the offshore facility 30, the first temporary storage area 32C and the second temporary storage area 33C can be placed at any location. This helps to limit the location of installation for natural gas liquefaction equipment and other devices within the offshore facility 30.

[0107] Although each embodiment of this disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may include design changes and the like that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components shown in each of the embodiments described above and the modifications shown below can be combined as appropriate.

[0108] (Modification 1) In each of the above embodiments, the article transport systems 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C include transport devices 50, 50A, 50B, and 50C for transporting articles between the offshore equipment 30 and the land-based temporary storage area 21 or the transport floating body 40, but the form of the article transport system is not limited thereto.

[0109] In addition to the transport devices 50, 50A, 50B, and 50C, the goods transport system may also include an auxiliary transport device for transporting goods between the first temporary storage areas 32, 32C and the second temporary storage areas 33, 33C. For example, when a second item is temporarily stored in the first temporary storage area 32, 32C, the auxiliary transport device transports this second item to the second temporary storage area 33, 33C. By using an auxiliary transport device on the offshore facility 30 that changes the temporary storage location of goods according to the goods transport route (land route or offshore route), goods can be transported more efficiently between the land LA and the offshore facility 30.

[0110] (Modification 2) In the third embodiment described above, the first conveying device 51B and the second conveying device 52B are provided outside the offshore equipment 30, but the configuration of the first conveying device and the second conveying device is not limited thereto. One of the first conveying device and the second conveying device may be provided on the offshore equipment 30, and the other may be provided outside the offshore equipment 30.

[0111] Even if only one of the first or second conveying device is installed outside the offshore equipment 30, it is possible to prevent the space inside the offshore equipment 30 from being compressed by the conveying device.

[0112] (Modification 3) In each of the above embodiments, the article transport systems 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are equipped with a pier 20, but the form of the article transport system is not limited thereto. The article transport system does not need to be equipped with a pier 20.

[0113] In this case, the land-based temporary storage area used for transporting the first item is located on land LA. The offshore equipment 30 is docked at land LA such that the land-based temporary storage area is included in the first transport area R1, RC1.

[0114] (Modification 4) In each of the above embodiments, the offshore equipment 30 is positioned so that its side is docked with the pier 20, but the configuration of the offshore equipment is not limited thereto. The offshore equipment may be positioned, for example, so that its stern is docked with the pier 20 (or land LA).

[0115] In this case, for example, the longitudinal direction of the offshore equipment coincides with the first direction A. Furthermore, the transport float for transporting the second item may be positioned alongside the offshore equipment, which is arranged so that its longitudinal direction coincides with the first direction A, and in the second direction B.

[0116] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C Goods transport system 10 Land equipment 20 Pier 21 Land temporary storage area 22 Transport route 30 Water equipment (offshore equipment) 32, 32C First temporary storage area 33, 33C Second temporary storage area 40 Transport float 50, 50A, 50B, 50C Transport device 51, 51B, 51C First transport device 52, 52B, 52C Second transport device 2 Detection unit 3 Control device 60 Gas line 61 Land-side gas line 61a End 62 Water-side gas line (offshore gas line) 63 Connection R1, RC1 First transport area R2, RC2 Second transport area LA Land OS Water A Docking direction S30 Land transport process S40 Water transport process

Claims

1. An article transport system capable of transporting articles between land and a water facility, comprising: a temporary land-based storage area for temporarily storing the articles to be transported between the land and the water facility; a water facility positioned on the water while docked at the temporary land-based storage area and capable of arranging the articles; a transport float capable of transporting the articles between the water facility and the land by navigating the water; and a transport device capable of transporting the articles between the water facility and the temporary land-based storage area and between the water facility and the transport float, wherein the transport device transports articles with physical characteristics greater than a predetermined value between the water facility and the transport float.

2. The article transport system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device transports the article, whose physical characteristics are less than or equal to the predetermined value, between the floating facility and the land-based temporary storage area.

3. The article transport system according to claim 2, wherein the physical characteristic is the weight of the article.

4. The article transport system according to claim 2, wherein the physical characteristic is the size of the article.

5. The article transport system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the floating facility comprises: a first temporary storage area for a first article, which is the article whose physical characteristics are less than or equal to a predetermined value; and a second temporary storage area for a second article, which is the article whose physical characteristics are greater than the predetermined value, wherein the first temporary storage area is located on the land side of the second temporary storage area; and the transport device comprises: a first transport device for transporting the first article between the first temporary storage area and the land-based temporary storage area; and a second transport device for transporting the second article between the second temporary storage area and the transport float.

6. The article transport system according to claim 5, comprising: land-based facilities provided on land; a pier provided on the water-based facilities side of the land-based facilities and on which the land-based temporary storage area is provided; and a transport path connecting the land-based facilities and the pier.

7. The article transport system according to claim 5, wherein, in the direction in which the watercraft approaches the land-based temporary storage area, the first temporary storage area and the land-based temporary storage area are arranged opposite each other.

8. The article transport system according to claim 5, wherein the first temporary storage area and the land-based temporary storage area are arranged in a first transport area in which the first transport device can transport the first article, and the second temporary storage area and the transport float are arranged in a second transport area in which the second transport device can transport the second article.

9. The article transport system according to claim 5, wherein the first temporary storage area and the second temporary storage area are arranged between the first transport device and the second transport device.

10. The article conveying system according to claim 8, comprising a gas line capable of supplying gas from land to the floating equipment, wherein the gas line comprises a land-side gas line provided on the land side, a floating-side gas line provided on the floating equipment, and a connection portion connecting the land-side gas line and the floating-side gas line, and the end of the land-side gas line on the connection portion side, the connection portion, and the floating-side gas line are arranged in the first conveying area.

11. The article transport system according to claim 3, comprising: a detection unit for detecting the weight of the article; and a control device for acquiring the detection result of the detection unit and controlling the transport device based on the detection result of the detection unit.

12. A method for transporting articles, comprising a land-based temporary storage area for temporarily storing articles to be transported between land and a water-based facility, the water-based facility being positioned on the water while docked at the land-based temporary storage area, and a transport floating body capable of transporting the articles between the water-based facility and the land by navigating the water, and a transport device capable of transporting the articles between the water-based facility and the water-based facility, wherein the method comprises a water-based transport step of transporting articles whose physical characteristics are greater than a predetermined value between the water-based facility and the transport floating body by the transport device.

13. The article transport method according to claim 12, further comprising a land transport step of transporting the article, whose physical characteristic quantity is less than or equal to the predetermined value, between the water facility and the land temporary storage area using the transport device.

14. The article transport method according to claim 13, wherein the physical characteristic is the weight of the article.

15. The article transport method according to claim 13, wherein the physical characteristic is the size of the article.

16. The method for transporting articles according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the land transport step transports a first article, which is an article whose physical characteristic quantity is less than or equal to the predetermined value, between the first temporary storage area, which is located on the land side of the first temporary storage area and the second temporary storage area provided on the water facility, and the land temporary storage area, and the water transport step transports a second article, which is an article whose physical characteristic quantity is greater than the predetermined value, between the second temporary storage area and the transport float.

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