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
“We could not manage the tonnage output without the use of DUKC® (Dynamic Under Keel Clearance) program.”
Heath Daniel, Director/Marine Pilot
Port Hedland Pilots, January 2022
The world’s largest bulk export port authority has announced a total annual throughput of 752.4 million tonnes (Mt) for the 2022/23 financial year. This result is an increase of 19.3Mt, and a new record for PPA. It follows a strong performance, with Pilbara Ports Authority exceeding 700Mt for the first time in the 2019-2020 financial year.
More than 43 per cent of global iron ore trade and 7.5 per cent of global LNG trade passed through Pilbara Ports during the year. Given the significance of the region to the Australian economy, and to the global supply chain, ensuring optimal efficiency and risk management through the application of world leading innovative technologies is paramount.
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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.
“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
The Port of Port Hedland was named Port of the Year at the 2020 DCN Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry awards, acknowledging the economic importance of the port to the regional, State and national economies, and the port’s year-on-year throughput increases from 446.9Mt in 2014/15 to a record 561.1Mt in 2021/22 .
48
movements
On average, there are more than
each day
Pilbara Ports Authority undertook
17,500
safe vessel movements
