Safe sailing for Port Hedland
Saab's technology will soon help manage traffic through Port Hedland, Western Australia which is the world’s largest export bulk port. The new system is part of a $70.7 million investment by Pilbara Ports Authority in a new integrated marine operations centre.
Photo: Port Hedland, Western Australia© 123RF
The traffic management system will be designed and commissioned by Australian Maritime Systems Group (AMSG) and will comprise Saab's V3000 vessel traffic management system.
AMSG Managing Director John Sugarman said the system would help drive improvements in safety, productivity and efficiency.
“The incredible volumes being exported through Port Hedland, combined with its unusual geography and tidal conditions, presents a massive challenge to Pilbara Ports Authority and one which AMSG is proud to deliver a technical solution for,” Mr Sugarman said.
Peter Behrendt, Head of Marketing and Sales for Saab's Maritime Traffic Management said “the limited manoeuvring space in the port and the tides, make safely managing $100 million AUD worth of trade through the port every day a challenge”.
“Being able to manage these challenges and handle the 6000 visiting ships to Port Hedland every year demands the best tools and knowledge of marine navigation”, said Peter Behrendt.
“AMSG is Australia’s leading vessel traffic management specialists,” he said.
The Saab V3000 vessel traffic management system supports five of the top eleven highest volume container ports in the world.
“Saab has over seventy traffic centres in operation, and at any given moment, these systems keep track of over 50,000 vessels,” said Peter Behrendt.
Larger systems include Hong Kong, Ningbo, Rotterdam and Europe’s busiest inland waterway Waal.
Saab’s maritime systems serve some of the largest ports in Australia.
The new traffic management system at Port Hedland enhances the Port Management Information System (PMIS) Saab delivered a few years ago. It should be operational late next year and will vastly improve maritime traffic flow and safety in out of the port.