Integrated Predictive Modeling of Shoreline Dynamics and Sedimentation Mechanisms to Ensure Sustainability in Damietta Harbor, Egypt

This research examines the persistent shoreline erosion along the Damietta coast and the problem of sediment buildup within the navigation channel of Damietta Port, both of which provide major obstacles to navigation efficiency and coastal balance. To address these issues, the research uses the LITPACK numerical model to forecast shoreline evolution along the Damietta coast, which is divided into two sections of 3.3 km each, during the next 20 years. Considering both planned and existing coastal constructions, two realistic alternatives were proposed. The Coastal Modeling System (CMS) was then used to perform a two-dimensional simulation in order to examine sediment transport and hydrodynamic behavior in the port region. This phase concentrated on examining the effects of sedimentation rates following the most recent port development plan, which included building a massive 5560-meter-long western jetty and a new navigation channel with a depth of 9 m to service the dirty ballast terminal. In comparison to the benchmark case, the simulation results showed a 93% decrease in sedimentation rates within the navigation channel. The study's final phase evaluated the impact of changing the crest levels of the current detached breakwaters along the Ras El-Bar coastline on reducing coastal erosion. The study's conclusions promote the creation of effective and sustainable coastal protection plans in the Damietta area by providing insightful information for future coastal zone management and planning.