THE Port Authority of NSW announced it is rolling out Dynamic Under Keel Clearance (DUKC) technology at Port Botany, Newcastle and Port Kembla.

Port Authority of NSW’s Sydney Harbour Master, Myron Fernandes said within hours of the technology going live in Port Botany, the safety and productivity benefits were acknowledged by industry as “remarkable”.

“Every improvement we deliver has a positive impact for the state’s economy, and ultimately on all NSW residents in some way,” Mr Fernandes said.

“When you consider the size of these vessels and that, like an iceberg, there is an enormous dimension laying under the water, it is essential marine pilots have access to the best technology and a comprehensive range of specific information and data.

“Our port pilots have oversight of over 4500 deep sea vessels navigating in and out of three of the state’s most important ports.

“The DUKC system provides them with near real-time data, taking account of a number of variables, including the height of tide, the speed of the ship, the ship’s manoeuvrability, tidal streams and the dynamic motions of the vessel,” he said.

Partnering agency, OMC International’s CEO Peter O’Brien said, “It is to our great pleasure to be working with Port Authority of NSW to supply our latest generation DUKC to their ports of Newcastle and Port Kembla.

“We are also very excited to be working with Port Authority of NSW at Port Botany to deliver the most advanced UKC management technologies for this vitally important port, where DUKC will be used to safely optimise the visiting deep draft container and tanker vessels.”

Mr Fernandes said the new contract centralises and upgrades the DUKC systems for Port Authority of NSW providing UKC calculations, system implementation, ongoing maintenance and support, quality assurances and data management processes for all large commercial vessels at Newcastle, Port Kembla and Port Botany.

“Port Authority of NSW is embracing these kinds of new technologies to revolutionise marine services within our ports and working harbours we all love and rely on,”he said.