Published Wednesday, 06 February, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Qld technology trial to protect reef and help shipping industry
A Queensland Government grant will fund the trial of a Queensland invention aimed at helping ships carry more cargo and navigate with greater certainty through the Torres Strait and on the Great Barrier Reef.
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said Bowen Hills-based Torres Industries Pty Ltd had received a $44,000 grant to undertake sea trials of its KeelClear Safety System.
Torres Industries, through Australian Reef Pilots, provides marine pilots in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef for tankers, container ships, cruise ships and bulk carriers.
“The KeelClear Safety System collects data from buoys, beacons and GPS monitoring to help ship owners plan voyages with the heaviest load possible without impacting on the seabed or compromising safety,” Ms Boyle said.
“The navigational system provides pilots with real-time information on weather and tides, which is especially important in the Torres Strait where the tidal conditions are extremely complex.
“This sort of technology will be a terrific asset to marine pilots delivering vital supplies to remote communities in the Torres Strait and on Cape York Peninsula.
“It will give pilots more precise information to ensure they navigate safely and with the least possible impact on the precious Great Barrier Reef,” Ms Boyle said.
Torres Industries CEO Scott Keane said the KeelClear voyage planning and navigational safety system calculated a safe loading level for vessels, considering a ship’s characteristics and transit time.
“Seven days out from arrival in Australia, a more detailed and precise recalculation is done, allowing ship owners to more precisely determine how much cargo their ship can carry through the Strait. For example, on a Panamax bulk carrier, that could easily translate into a 5 per cent increase in cargo,” Mr Keane said.
“KeelClear readings are accessible enroute through the pilot’s onboard computer, meaning the location of the vessel and underkeel clearance is known at any time and point of transit, ensuring ships are safely piloted through the passage.
“KeelClear also allows the pilot to amend their passage plan throughout transit to ensure adequate underkeel clearance for the entire voyage.”
Mr Keane said Curtin University would undertake rigorous sea trials of the technology in the Torres Strait over the next few months.
“The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is currently considering certification processes for underkeel clearance in the Torres Strait and we expect the sea trials to assist,” he said.
“This amazing Queensland developed technology will not only have application for ships transiting the Torres Strait, but also has a market for all ships travelling in shallow waters anywhere in the world.”
Mr Keane said there was a lot of interest in the technology, especially from the big shipping lines and exporters.
“The company has already invested significant funds in developing and testing the technology,” he said.
“For us, this is money well spent. We’re expecting significant sales here and overseas which will lead to additional employment in Queensland.”
The navigational system was developed by Voyage Management Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torres Industries, with the assistance of the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University in Perth.
Torres Industries has annual sales of more than $37 million and also operates pilot vessels in key Queensland ports as well as having a majority holding in a helicopter company, Australian Helicopters Pty Ltd.
Ends
Media contact:
Minister Boyle: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Torres Industries: Shari Armistead at Sequel Communications 3251 8134
6 February 2008
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said Bowen Hills-based Torres Industries Pty Ltd had received a $44,000 grant to undertake sea trials of its KeelClear Safety System.
Torres Industries, through Australian Reef Pilots, provides marine pilots in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef for tankers, container ships, cruise ships and bulk carriers.
“The KeelClear Safety System collects data from buoys, beacons and GPS monitoring to help ship owners plan voyages with the heaviest load possible without impacting on the seabed or compromising safety,” Ms Boyle said.
“The navigational system provides pilots with real-time information on weather and tides, which is especially important in the Torres Strait where the tidal conditions are extremely complex.
“This sort of technology will be a terrific asset to marine pilots delivering vital supplies to remote communities in the Torres Strait and on Cape York Peninsula.
“It will give pilots more precise information to ensure they navigate safely and with the least possible impact on the precious Great Barrier Reef,” Ms Boyle said.
Torres Industries CEO Scott Keane said the KeelClear voyage planning and navigational safety system calculated a safe loading level for vessels, considering a ship’s characteristics and transit time.
“Seven days out from arrival in Australia, a more detailed and precise recalculation is done, allowing ship owners to more precisely determine how much cargo their ship can carry through the Strait. For example, on a Panamax bulk carrier, that could easily translate into a 5 per cent increase in cargo,” Mr Keane said.
“KeelClear readings are accessible enroute through the pilot’s onboard computer, meaning the location of the vessel and underkeel clearance is known at any time and point of transit, ensuring ships are safely piloted through the passage.
“KeelClear also allows the pilot to amend their passage plan throughout transit to ensure adequate underkeel clearance for the entire voyage.”
Mr Keane said Curtin University would undertake rigorous sea trials of the technology in the Torres Strait over the next few months.
“The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is currently considering certification processes for underkeel clearance in the Torres Strait and we expect the sea trials to assist,” he said.
“This amazing Queensland developed technology will not only have application for ships transiting the Torres Strait, but also has a market for all ships travelling in shallow waters anywhere in the world.”
Mr Keane said there was a lot of interest in the technology, especially from the big shipping lines and exporters.
“The company has already invested significant funds in developing and testing the technology,” he said.
“For us, this is money well spent. We’re expecting significant sales here and overseas which will lead to additional employment in Queensland.”
The navigational system was developed by Voyage Management Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torres Industries, with the assistance of the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University in Perth.
Torres Industries has annual sales of more than $37 million and also operates pilot vessels in key Queensland ports as well as having a majority holding in a helicopter company, Australian Helicopters Pty Ltd.
Ends
Media contact:
Minister Boyle: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Torres Industries: Shari Armistead at Sequel Communications 3251 8134
6 February 2008