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Bigger ships can call Port Kembla

Tidal windows for large import vessels at one of Australia’s fastest growing ports will be expanded by an average of two hours, with the installation of OMC’s Dynamic Under Keel Clearance system at Port Kembla.

OMC International, the Melbourne-based maritime engineering group, has secured a contract to commission its DUKC system at the port for an initial term of five years.

This follows a successful six-month trial that identified DUKC’s® potential to improve the efficiency and safety of shipments through the strategically positioned port.

DUKC is a near real-time under-keel clearance management system for use at ports which have tidally restricted sailings.

The economic benefit to ports and shippers using DUKC® has been demonstrated by improved cargo loadings, increased tidal windows (the times available for ships to arrive or sail) and reduced demurrage (charges for delays).

During the Port Kembla trial, the DUKC system showed that it would markedly enhance safety during high swell events, which occur in the Port Kembla entrance channel particularly during the winter months.

OMC has installed the system in a number of ports around the world and on average, 10 large vessels transit under DUKC® advice in draught-controlled situations every day.

Port Kembla, which handles large cape size vessels for the iron ore and coal trades, is rapidly expanding. It is the closest specialist industrial port to Sydney, Australia’s largest market.

Since first developed in 1993, OMC’s Dynamic Under Keel Clearance system has successfully assisted over 35,000 vessel movements in ports around the world and has provided over A$5bn in economic benefits to ports and port users.

The DUKC system is expected to be operational in Port Kembla in May 2008.

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