DCN May Edition 2019

News in brief
Full details at thedcn.com.au
BIGGER SHIPS
ABLE TO CALL AT
LYTTELTON
A project to expand the Lyttelton
shipping channel is finished, ensuring
the harbour is prepared for a future
with larger vessels.
But the amount of dredging
required was said to have been
reduced due to the use of dynamic
under keel clearance technology,
maximising the accuracy of shipping
draft calculations.
Lyttelton Port Corporation chief
executive Peter Davie said the new
system would improve the safety of
all commercial shipping movements.
“Container ships have doubled in
size over the last 10 years and the
trend toward bigger ships continues,”
Mr Davie said.
“We have enlarged the existing
shipping channel to provide access to
larger ships and support Lyttelton’s
future as the South Island’s major
international trade gateway.”
The container terminal’s maximum
draught is now 13.3 metres at Cashin
Quay 2 and 3 East.
Mr Davie said one of the biggest
improvements was in terms of
visibility.
The old main channel leading light
was in the hills above Governors
Bay, but the new sector light is 6km
closer to the end of the channel and
is expected to be more visible during
misty and drizzly conditions.
The DUKC program links to
portable pilot units, to calculate and
continuously monitor the under keel
clearance of large draught vessels as
they move through the channel.
There is a weather buoy and
further sensors in the harbour to
analyse swell and wind information
to provide a “tidal window” for each
vessel.
One of the new autostraddles to be used by Patrick
Patrick invests in new straddle carriers
Waterfront technology provider Kalmar
is set to supply 12 diesel-electric straddle
carriers to Patrick Terminals over the year
to come.
The order, which comprises eight
automated Kalmar AutoStrad units and four
manually operated Kalmar straddle carriers,
was booked in the 2019 first quarter intake
with parent company Cargotec.
Delivery of the machines is set for the
Michael Jovicic indicated the deal cemented
an ongoing relationship.
“We’ve been relying on Kalmar’s
innovative, reliable straddle carrier
solutions to keep our automated and
manual operations running safely and
efficiently for many years,” Mr Jovicic said.
“When it came to considering our
options for renewing our straddle carrier
fleet, it was a straightforward decision to
second quarter of 2020.
continue our long-standing collaboration.”
Patrick operates terminals at Fisherman
Kalmar senior vice president automation
Island in Brisbane, Port Botany in Sydney,
and projects Tero Kokko said the company
East Swanson in Melbourne and at
had “developed a highly successful
Fremantle in Western Australia.
partnership with Patrick Terminals over the
Four of the AutoStrads are to operate
years, with our straddle carrier solutions
at Brisbane and four at Sydney, while the
forming the backbone of the fleet at their
manual straddle carriers are set to ply their
terminals”.
trade at Melbourne.
“We have come a long way since the
The new machines are part of Patrick
first ever commercial operation of the
Terminals’ fleet renewal program and are
Kalmar AutoStrad at the company’s
to join the company’s current fleet of more
Brisbane terminal, and we are delighted to
than 120 Kalmar straddles.
continue the story with this new order,”
Patrick Terminals chief executive
Mr Kokko said.
Kalmar
10 May 2019
thedcn.com.au