In a joint effort with Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA), OMC International’s realtime
DUKC® e-Navigation technology helped enable the largest ever iron ore shipment to leave Port Hedland (illustrated) at a record sailing draft of 19.95 metres, Executive Director Dr Terry O’Brien AM said on 7 March.

Dr O’Brien said: ‘Under DUKC® advice a record 270,006 tonnes of iron ore left Port Hedland – the world’s largest bulk export port – on the Fortescue Metals Group loaded ship HL Tubarao on 1 March.’

‘Our technology, which has been operating at Port Hedland for more than 20 years, safely allowed an increased draft of 0.70m over the traditionally conservative static rule, which meant an extra 12,000 tonnes of iron ore could be loaded.’