NEW THROUGHPUT RECORDS FOR PILBARA PORTS AUTHORITY & PORT HEDLAND
Dynamic
Channel Optimisation
As part of PPA’s $120m Channel Risk and Optimisation Project (CROP), OMC’s dynamic channel optimisation expertise was utilised to optimise the design. The optimum channel depth profile identified through the DUKC® channel optimisation resulted in a reduced dredged area of more than 90,000m2 without compromising any of the forecasted efficiency or safety benefits.
DPCM®
The Dynamic Port Capacity Model (DPCM®) is the world’s first port capacity model that fully integrates dynamic underkeel clearance calculations. Through a discrete event simulation model of Port Hedland’s operations incorporating the DUKC®, the DPCM® provides a tool to assess port capacity, and the impact of changes to variables such as ship loader rates, vessel fleet profiles, cyclones, and the availability of services and assets such as tugs, pilots, etc.
The DPCM® simulations were applied to highlight latent capacity, and identify and evaluate capacity optimising projects. Utilising DPCM®, PPA was able to increase the declared capacity of Port Hedland by 25% to 617Mtpa.
Chart Overlay
PPA uses the Chart Overlay functionality to mitigate navigational risks whilst in transit. Combining real time environmental data and AIS feeds with the DUKC®’s advanced vessel motion modelling, pilots have visibility of their transit that has previously been unattainable. Pilots can now interrogate all the dynamic aspects of a transit in real time, identify precise location of the UKC breaches, and adjust planned speeds and routes where necessary to ensure a safe transit.
This technology enables the port and its pilots to make data driven decisions, respond to unforeseen events such as main engine slowdowns, or deteriorating environmental conditions, minimise risk and maximise port throughput.
Image courtesy of Pilbara Ports Authority
+61 3 9412 6500
"PPA sincerely thanks its port users, contractors and suppliers for their contribution to the 700Mt milestone. "
Roger Johnston, CEO
Pilbara Ports Authority, 2020
The world’s largest bulk export port authority has announced a total annual throughput of 717.3 million tonnes (Mt) for the 2019/20 financial year. This result is an increase of 19.9Mt, or three per cent from the previous year and a new record for PPA. This is the first time that Pilbara Ports Authority have had a total throughput exceeding 700Mt.
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DUKC®
All deep draft vessels departing Port Hedland do so under Dynamic Underkeel Clearance System (DUKC®).
The core functionality of DUKC® is to provide the PPA with dynamic passage planning advice on:
- Maximum sailing draft for a given sailing time;
- Sailing window times for a given sailing draft;
- UKC for a specific transit with a known departure time and draft.
DUKC® increases the available sailing drafts and windows over the static UKC requirements, enabling more cargo per vessel, more time for vessels to sail, and ultimately more throughput for the port.
The Port of Port Hedland achieved record breaking annual iron ore exports totaling:
an increase of 24.9Mt or five per cent from the previous year.
531.5Mt
The June monthly throughput of iron ore at the Port of Port Hedland was a record
and the first time the port exceeded 50Mt throughput for the month.
51.7Mt
“Resource and energy exports are vital to Australia’s economy and it’s essential to ensure safety of shipping whilst optimising throughput. DUKC® is facilitating ports to achieve this.
It’s great to see innovative Australian technology delivering world class safety and huge economic value for our resources sector.”
Hon Keith Pitt MP,
Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, April 2020
“(DUKC®) means operators can be very precise about loading a vessel while still clearing the depth limits to leave the port. We can give the ship the maximum possible draught that it can be loaded to for the shipper to optimise the use of his vessel. Even as volume has grown, shipping numbers haven’t had to keep up because we can get more on a ship”
Roger Johnston, CEO,
Pilbara Ports Authority, February 2019
“The additional capacity was the result of ongoing investment in world-leading port innovations and technology and provides port users more opportunities to maximise the amount of product they ship through Port Hedland.”
Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC,
Minister for Ports, September 2019
“OMC’s advanced under keel management system monitors the under keel clearance of ships in real time which means they can sail up to one metre deeper allowing them to carry significantly more cargo while maintaining the highest safety standards. This impressive technology improves port efficiency and brings huge economic benefits.”
Hon Michael McCormack,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, February 2019
2020 marks the 25th anniversary of DUKC® at Port Hedland.
In that time, the technology has continued to evolve into a multi-award winning suite of risk management and port optimisation products, including the Dynamic Port Capacity Model (DPCM®), Dynamic Chart Overlays, real-time Transit Monitoring, and iHeave vessel motion measurement devices.