MARINE technology specialists OMC recently teamed up with Maersk Line to do further draught testing in the Torres Strait.

Full scale measurements took place of the Singapore-flagged, 80454 DWT boxship Rio De La Plata (IMO 9357951) transiting through the strait.

Similar trials occurred last year and were reported on last year by DCN.

OMC International managing director Peter O’Brien said this was another vessel measurement done as part of the Torres Deep Draft trials.

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“The objective of the trials is to collect a representative sample of deep draft container transits with the aim to provide AMSA with the justification to increase on a more permanent basis the drafts of container vessels transiting through Torres Straits,” Mr O’Brien said.

Rio De La Plata sails through the Torres Strait. Credit: OMC

“This has already been achieved with the Rio bauxite vessels transiting from Weipa/Amrun to Gladstone at 30 cm deeper than previously allowed.”

Mr O’Brien thanked Captain Thomas Kik and Captain Ireneusz Sliwinski for facilitating the exercise and welcoming the OMC team onboard.