Movement of fuel ashore: storage, capacity, throughput, and distribution analysis

Abstract

The Marine Corps’ recent reemphasis on amphibious operations has identified a potential operational reach gap in the sustainment window of the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) in an undeveloped theater. This problem is defined by a limited capacity to move fuel ashore from tactical and seabased assets, coupled with increasing rates of end-user consumption. In the absence of host-nation support, sustaining the MEB during operations ashore requires joint interoperability of several fuel distribution systems and methods of resupply. The success of the seabased logistics network will depend on the use of a modern planning and forecasting approach. It is the aim of this study to understand the connection between the GCE’s operational behavior and its fuel demand. This is accomplished through the use of the MAGTF Power and Energy Model to create a fuel usage data set. Subsequent regression analysis reveals key trends and provides insight into how operational decisions can result in marginal changes to fuel demand. Finally, this study examines the feasibility of fuel movement ashore using only the ship-to- shore connectors available to the MEB.