Nowadays, conceptual breakwater layout design mostly relies on experience and expert judgement, making it complicated to demonstrate that an economic optimum has been reached. This stresses the need to develop a tool that is able to establish the economically most attractive breakwater layout for a certain set of requirements and site-specific data. This study provides a proof of concept for a generative breakwater layout design tool, applicable to port projects all around the world. This is accomplished by investigating the most suitable optimisation method, by setting up a universally applicable methodology for the determination of the economic optimum and by establishing a robust and flexible model set-up. By validating it against a real case, the parametric model consistently comes up with breakwater layouts having cost estimates that are located within the desired accuracy range for the conceptual design phase. In addition, the parametric model is flexible, as it is able to efficiently deal with changes in design requirements and future port developments, therewith living up to modern design standards. In this way, client expectations are more likely to be met, leading to a spiral of increasing trust between the involved parties in an early design stage.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia with a population close to 60 million people, which suffers from underdeveloped infrastructure. With the change of government and restoration of democracy starting from 2011, policy reforms are anticipated leading to large-scale economic development and growth. This growth is expected to result in rapidly increasing trade volumes. Myanmar’s maritime infrastructure needs upgrades: existing ports are mainly up-river, have limited draught and need continuous dredging. Currently, six deep sea port projects are being planned, but it is not known whether these sites have been selected based on rational, commercial and technical considerations or on (geo)political interests from the past. If these sites have been selected based on outdated political considerations, rather than commercial, well-grounded and sustainable development, they may struggle to obtain finances and support. Especially in the past, port sites were often allocated based on (geo)political considerations. However, because site selection is critical to port development and the long-term success and growth of a port, research into optimum and sustainable site selection is of significant value. The research objective is development of a strategy for deep sea port site selection and port development in Myanmar, by developing, validating and applying a framework for sustainable site selection, integrating a stakeholder-inclusive approach and ecosystem services. This framework is developed based on literature and desk study, and a comprehensive case study conducted in Myanmar. The strategy elaborates upon the optimum site selection (process), conceptual lay-outs and biggest challenges. Following the developed two-step site selection process, a short list with the sites Pathein, Yangon, Mawlamyine and Dawei was obtained. By means of a Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis and a cluster-based ranking, Mawlamyine and Yangon ended first. Yangon seems like a logical choice for deep sea port development, as it is the economic center of the country with the best hinterland connectivity. Despite pressure from stakeholders, it is concluded that Yangon is not a suitable location for deep sea port development because of physical restraints. However, it is a crucial port and must be part of the strategy. Yangon and Thilawa port should maintain and strengthen their current activities, and this appears best in combination with a deep sea port near Kalegauk Island (near Mawlamyine), which is connected with a high-quality road connection to Thailand and the Greater Mekong Subregion. Besides, this site offers many opportunities with respect to Ecosystem Services, by using Ecosystem-Based design principles. This port will accommodate the large Post-Panamax vessels and Yangon and its hinterland will be connected to it by sea, road and rail. Yangon port functions as a feeder port or extended gateway in this combination. This combination of ports can for instance be found in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Besides the combination Kalegauk Island and Yangon, a combination of Pathein (Near Nga Yoke Kaung) and Yangon may be a possible port combination. However, this needs additional research.

During a previous research project, a parametric model for conceptual layout design has been developed. The model uses optimisation using genetic algorithms to approach the optimal breakwater layout for specific locations. The developed model serves as a successful proof-of-concept. In the model, several aspects of design have been simplified. These simplifications result in limited applicability of the model. In this research, the proof-of-concept model is further developed to improve its applicability. To improve the applicability of the model, modifications and additions have been made regarding bathymetry, wave transformation, and sedimentation processes. The effect of these modifications and additions on the model results have been assessed. Thereafter, the updated model has been applied to a case study, to assess its performance when applied to a real port development project. Based on the assessments and the case study, conclusions have been drawn regarding the applicability and the performance of the updated model. The limitations and uncertainties of the updated model have been recognized and recommendations have been made concerning further research and model development.