New real time wave monitoring system at Fremantle Port

25/11/94

Greater utilisation of tidal movements off Fremantle would improve Western Australia's export efficiency, Transport Minister Eric Charlton said today.

A new computerised system that enables real time wave monitoring at the Fremantle Port has allowed better management of deep draught shipping.

"The aim of the system is to reduce under keel clearance of ships to a minimum tolerance based on observed objective data," Mr Charlton said.

"Consequently, the ship's draught is maximised to obtain optimum deadweight capacity, meaning large tonnages can be carried out of port with less time wasted by ships waiting for sufficient water depth to proceed through the dredged channel.

"We will see more vessels carrying larger amounts of cargo at a deeper draught under controlled conditions."

Known as the dynamic under-keel clearance system, it was designed by Ocean Mooring Consultants with funding from BP.

The system is based on tidal movement data provided by Control Information and Engineering Services, a business unit of the Department of Transport and operated by the Fremantle Port Authority.

So far, 30 ships have used the system, with BP the only organisation to use it to its full potential.

"Clearly, aspects of the system are applicable to Alcoa, the Kwinana grain jetty and steelworks jetty users," Mr Charlton said.

"Exporters can take advantage of the system by timing large amounts of commodities to go over these jetties at appropriate tidal times when ships are entering at their deepest draught."

The UKC system reads data and simulates 15 transits from the Fairway Buoy to Cockburn Sound, examining all scenarios and taking into account a ship's squat, tidal height variation, motions and wave conditions.  It then develops a forecast of the UKC for the entire passage and the vessel can then proceed on its inward passage at a nominated speed or wait for sea and tidal conditions to improve.

The introduction of UKC follows the completion of dredging of the Success and Parmelia Channels, which increased the depth by one metre to 14.7 metres.

Mr Charlton said the introduction of the system was another major improvement to customer services at the Port of Fremantle.

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333