Hay Point DUKC Program Extended for Five Years

Ports Corporation of Queensland (PCQ) has signed a new five year licence agreement for the Dynamic Under Keel Clearance (DUKC) system at the coal export Port of Hay Point.

Announcing the deal, the Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the technology was first used by PCQ at Hay Point 15 years ago and was now used internationally.

``Such early take up of what at that stage was cutting edge technology is testimony to PCQ’s forward thinking in relation to port management,’’ Mr Mickel said.

In 1993, PCQ implemented the DUKC system at the Port of Hay Point, designed and marketed by OMC International’s Dr Terry O’Brien. As a result the port has achieved significant economic benefits.

Mr Mickel described OMC’s system as extremely innovative and technically complex.

``The non-monetary benefits of the DUKC are also of great value. By providing port pilots and ships greater certainty as to the conditions under which ships are sailing, improving safety of operations,’’ he said.

``The improved safety has obvious benefits in reducing the likelihood of a significant environmental event within the Great Barrier Reef.’’

OMC International’s system has helped more than 33,000 vessel movements over 15 years without a single incident in Australia and New Zealand and now also in Europe.

``The economic benefit to ports and shippers using DUKC has been achieved by improved cargo loadings, increased tidal windows and reduced demurrage,’’ Mr Mickel said.

For the deep-draft vessels of tomorrow, the system allows the optimum channel design minimising costs associated with dredging and any adverse environmental effects.

The system is unparalleled world wide, cost-effective and will ensure a ship does not transit the port half empty or wait unnecessarily for safe passage. Recent developments have been to take the DUKC onboard ships with the DUKC Portable Pilot Unit (PPU) and to integrate it into vessel tracking to allow monitoring in real-time.

Media contact: Shannon Mackay 3237 1125

January 8, 2008