TECHNOLOGY that has helped facilitate the movement of vast quantities of iron ore from the Pilbara has clocked up 30 years since it was first deployed at Port Hedland.
The Dynamic Under Keel Clearance (DUKC®) technology was deployed in the Pilbara back in the mid-1990s, something that is widely credited with revolutionising port efficiency, safety, sustainability and export capacity.
According to developer OMC International, the DUKC® system uses real-time environmental data and advanced modelling to calculate the minimum safe under keel clearance for each vessel.
In February 1996, just months after commissioning DUKC®, the Port of Port Hedland set a world record by exporting 499,123 tonnes on a single tide.
To date, DUKC® has facilitated more than five billion tonnes of exports from Port Hedland.
Via close collaboration with Pilbara Ports during the past three decades, OMC International’s digital port optimisation and risk management technologies have helped Port Hedland navigate growth from 60 million tonnes and 1,000 vessel movements in 1994/95 to 577.7m tonnes and 6,940 vessel movements in 2024/25.
DUKC was used as part of the Channel Risk & Optimisation Project (CROP) to optimise the dredging profile, maximising the capacity enhancements whilst minimising the environmental impacts.
Another key innovation driven through collaboration is the Dynamic Port Capacity Model.
The DPCM® helped Pilbara Ports identify and unlock latent capacity, resulting in throughput potential that now exceeds the $20b Outer Harbour development proposed in 2008.
OMC International chief executive Peter O’Brien said they had greatly cherished the journey they had been on with Pilbara Ports during the previous 30 years.
“Pilbara Ports is commended world-wide for the incredible throughput it facilitates and its significance to the Australian and global shipping economy,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Rightly, it is recognised for doing so through delivering world’s best practice operations, and this has enabled it to continuously retain its place as the world’s largest bulk export port.
“It’s been wonderful for OMC to have been an integral part of this growth journey; we are a company built on innovation and Pilbara Ports have been a critical partner to the continual evolution of our technology to meet the growing demands, and we are very grateful for their vision and support.”
Pilbara Ports chief executive Samuel McSkimming said they were “proud to partner with OMC International as they celebrate 30 years of DUKC®”.
“Pilbara Ports has achieved record-breaking shipments safely over the years thanks to revolutionary programs such as DUKC®,” Mr McSkimming said.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with OMC International.”