OMC Milestones
Stretching 350m long and tipping the scales at 111,000 tonnes, The CMA CGM Pelleas becomes the greatest length overall to ever dock at Port Botany. The vessel is 43m wide and has a capacity of 9,600 TEUs.
At nearly 300 metres long, the 10,926 TEU CMA CGM Estelle arrived at Patrick Terminals in Port Botany, setting a new record for the ship carrying the most containers to ever visit Australia.
OMC is named winner of the ‘Excellence in Transport and/or Conveying’ award for technology that moves bulk solids materials from one location to another, with DUKC® technology being recognised at the awards ceremony in Melbourne.
With a draft of 13.25m, Summer Sky becomes the deepest draft vessel to call at SAQR Port.
Port of Bunbury breaks their throughout record with 17.945 million tonnes of product traded through the port during the 2021-22 financial year.
On June 2nd, the Bulk Honduras sets a new record load of 52,000wmt for SIMEC’s Whyalla Port.
PPA creates a new annual throughput record of 773.1 million tonnes for the 2021-2022 financial year - an increase of 1%.
Lyttelton Port achieves the milestone of exchanging over 500,000 TEU in a financial year - with a total of 503,00 TEU.
Le Havre becomes the heaviest ship ever to arrive at Port Botany, with a displacement of 140,480 tonnes.
MSC Tokyo becomes the deepest draft container ship to call at not only Port Botany, but any Australian port, with a draft of 15.1m.
Great Wencheng becomes the largest cargo export out of the Port of Geraldton, with a total load of 79,996 tonnes of iron ore.
OMC won the 'Advanced Technologies' award at this year's Governor of Victoria Export Awards (GOVEAs) for outstanding international success in the field of information technology (IT), digital technologies, software, hardware or digital services, including solutions utilising cloud based platforms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, augmented /virtual reality and/or blockchain.’
STI Condotti becomes the deepest tanker to be welcomed at Port Botany, with a draft of 14.7m, exceeding the previous deepest by approximately 50cm.
Port Botany breaks records after containership MSC Asya becomes the heaviest vessel to berth with a displacement of 140,252 tonnes. It is also understood to be the deepest container ship to berth in an Australian Port, with a draft of 14.8m.
On October 7, the Star Crios set a new record draft of 13.25m from the Inner Harbour of Saqr Port, UAE.
During August, Mid West Ports Authority recorded a total iron ore trade of 1,092,166 tonnes, the highest monthly throughput recorded since November 2019.
A third DUKC® system has been commissioned for New South Wales Port Authority, with this latest system being installed at Port Botany, Sydney.
On July 23rd, bulk carrier Zagori sets a new record for Saqr Port, with a draft of 13.18m.
With a capacity of 6,730 TEU, the MSC Melissa becomes the largest container ship to sail St. Lawrence River, measuring 303m long and 40m wide.
The Port of Bunbury surpasses previous records with an annual throughput of 117.11MT.
Pilbara Ports Authority achieves a record-breaking annual throughput of 724.7MT, exceeding 700MT for the first time.
The Soroe Maersk at 347 metres long and a capacity of 9640 TEU is the largest ship ever to enter the Port of Melbourne.
At 9200 TEU, the CMA CGM Loire becomes the heaviest vessel to berth at West Swanson Dock.
The OOCL Canada, measuring at 335m long,42.9m wide, with a displacement of 120,000 tonnes and 8.888 TEU, becomes the largest and heaviest container vessel to berth at West Swanson Terminal.
RAK Ports, for Saqr Ports, is announced as the winner of the ‘Intelligent Shipping Award’ for optimising port operations with DUKC® at the 2020 Seatrade Maritime Awards.
The Port of Bunbury reached a new trade record in December 2020 with 1.845 million tonnes of trade and 46 ships through the port, up from the 1.67 million-tonne record from January 2018.
The MSC Rachele arrived with a displacement of 123,900mt, the heaviest vessel ever for East Swanson dock.
The MV Soho Mandate loaded a cargo of Clinker at Berth 12 in the Inner Harbour of Saqr Port with a final draft of 13.02m, allowing the vessel to load approximately 7000t of additional cargo.
Annual iron ore exports at the Port of Port Hedland totalled 531.5Mt, an increase of 24.9Mt or five per cent from the previous year.
A new BerthAlert installation for Alcoa Kwinana Refinary, Western Australia.
At a draft of 14.7m and displacement of 138,820 tonnes, the MSC Sindy set a new record for the deepest vessel ever to depart Fremantle Inner Harbour.
MSC Pamela calls to Melbourne, at a length of 336.7m and a beam of 45.7m, it makes her the largest container ship to successfully berth at Swanson Dock.
At a draft of 12.85m, Elbabe becomes the deepest draft vessel to sail out of Saqr Port, 65cm deeper than the static draft.
The Ganga K sails from Saqr Port with a record draft of 12.83m.
RAK Ports has commissioned a DUKC® system for Saqr, UAE. The first ship to sail under DUKC® had a draft of 12.76m, 56cm deeper than the previous maximum draft.
Fortescue Metals Group has achieved a record shipment of iron ore in the December 2019 quarter with 46.4 million tonnes.
A new monthly record for iron ore exports totalled 47.3m, a 3% increase from the same time last year.
At a draft of 14.2m and a beam of 48.2m, the CMA CGM Rhone becomes the widest draft constrained vessel to call at Fremantle.
Fremantle Ports welcomes two giant container ships, Maersk Skarsind and MSC Elma, to call at the Fremantle Inner Harbour. Both vessels have a beam of 48.3m.
MSC Elma, with a deadweight of 110,103 tonnes and a beam of 48.3m, is one of the largest vessel classes to call at Melbourne.
Loaded to 205,805Mt, the Hanna Oldendorff sets a new tonnage record for SIMEC's Whyalla/Spencer Gulf iron ore export operation.
The Pro Alliance has become the largest fuel tanker to enter the Port of Newcastle, measuring 244 metres in length.
The Port of Port Hedland reported a new tonnage record on January 15. 10 vessels departed the port in convoy carrying a total of 1,754,741 tonnes of bulk, exceeding the previous record from December 2017 by 165,680 tonnes.
The Brook Trout becomes the first LR1 tanker to call at the Port of Newcastle
OMC is named the runner-up of the 'The China Merchants Port Holdings Innovation' Award at the Lloyd's List Global Awards.
OMC is named the winner of the 'Supply Chain Innovation & Technology' Award at the Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards.
OMC is named the winner of the 'Support Service Provider of the Year' Award for the Lyttelton Port (NZ) dredge optimisation project at the Dredging and Port Construction Awards.
A DUKC® system is installed at Lyttelton Port, New Zealand, as part of the port's dredging project where OMC's channel design was able to reduce dredging by 43% in Stage 1.
OMC is named the runner-up of the 'Intelligence Safety Innovation Award' at the Lloyd's List Asia Pacific Awards.
A DUKC® system is installed for Rio Tinto's Amrun project in North Queensland.
The Leda Maersk has become the deepest eastbound container vessel to transit Torres Strait. With a draft of 12.5m, the vessel used AMSA's UKCM system to optimise timing to ensure there was an available sailing window to safely navigate.
OMC is named the winner of the 'Business Services Award' at the Governor of Victoria Export Awards.
Cosco Thailand arrived at Victoria International Container Terminal, becoming the largest container ship to enter the Port of Melbourne. It is a 101,200 DWT vessel with a TEU capacity of 8500.
Pilbara Ports Authority set a new 24-hour record of 2.478m tonnes was reported over two tides and 14 vessels.
At a draft of 12.5m, Lica Maersk becomes the deepest container vessel to transit through Torres Strait.
The Port of Port Hedland achieved a record annual throughput of 519.4Mt, an increase of 18.4Mt of 4% from the previous year.
At the International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA) Awards in London, OMC is jointly named the inaugural winner in the ‘Safe, Efficient & Secure Port’ category with Pilbara Ports Authority.
A new monthly record for iron ore exports totalled 47.2Mt, an increase of 18.Mt or 4% from the previous year.
The Port of Port Hedland reported a record tonnage in a 24-hour period on 2 June. Twelve vessels departed during the 24 hours, carrying a cargo of 2,398,423 tonnes. This was 187,599 more than the previous record of 2,210,824 set on 25 February 2018.
A DUKC® system is installed at Gladstone, Queensland.
OMC International (OMC) celebrates the 25th anniversary of the implementation of the first DUKC® operational system in the coal port of Hay Point, Queensland, maintaining an unblemished track record.
Mid West Ports Authority welcomes the largest-ever bulk carrier – MV Rising Sun – to berth at Geraldton Port as part of a live trial using DUKC® technology. (This new 235m x 43m class ship can carry 10-15% more cargo).
The RTM Weipa sets a new record for the deepest vessel to sail through Torres Strait, with a draft of 12.83m.
DUKC® technology helps PPA set numerous shipping records at Port Hedland, including a new record tonnage on a single tide achieved on Dec 27. A total of 1,589,061 tonnes of cargo sailed out on eight ships.
A record 272 ship visits and a record monthly throughput of 47.1Mt for the Port of Port Hedland.
Port Hedland sets a new tonnage record of 2,183,611 tonnes over a 24-hour period, with a total of 12 ships sailing under DUKC® advice.
An Exxon tanker, the Aspen Spirit, sails as the deepest ship that has ever come into the port, with a draft of 14.7m. Two OMC engineers on board undertake GPS validation and the full-scale measurements provide excellent correlation with the results predicted by the DUKC® system.
DUKC® technology helps GrainCorp set new tonnage records for its Geelong operations. The Nord Pollux sails with more than 61,900 tonnes (biggest single shipment of canola fully loaded in Geelong)
A DUKC® system is installed at Whyalla, South Australia.
KeelCheck, PortWeather and BerthAlert.
The Port of Melbourne records a new draft record - the Ultimate Freedom becomes the deepest tanker to call at the port, with a draft of 14.58m.
Cyprus- flagged ship Efraim A is the deepest draft bulker to visit the Port of Geelong with a draft of 11.9 metres.
Singapore- flagged aframax tanker Phoenix Advance becomes the deepest-draft ship to call at the Port of Geelong with a draft of 11.9 metres – previously 11.6 metres was considered the limit.
Exxon chartered Felicity tanker ship with a draft of 14.5 metres – the deepest draft ship to visit Melbourne – docks at Gelibrand berth after a transit into port.
Arrium Mining sets new record for the most tonnes loaded aboard an export cape vessel. The MV ‘FPMC B Nature 380’ was loaded with nearly 205,700 wet metric tonnes (wmt) of iron ore for export, exceeding Arrium’s previous record by more than 1000wmt.
At an awards ceremony dinner in Antwerp, OMC is named Winner of the 2015 IBJ Safety in Bulk Handling (Marine) Award for its maritime technology.
Victorian Regional Channels Authority (VRCA) announces it has adopted DUKC® technology to safely allow larger ships with more cargo to access the Geelong Port.
OMC is contracted by Arrium Limited to install a DUKC® system. This is the first time that a DUKC® is being used for a transhipment operation.
In 2014, OMC delivered a DUKC® for Rio Tinto’s Dampier Salt operations at Mistaken Island. This system is used to help maximise safe sailing drafts and increase departure windows for Panamax ships.
OMC Founder and Executive Director Dr Terry O’Brien AM is inducted into the Australian Maritime Hall of Fame for “making an outstanding contribution to Australia’s maritime industry” during an impressive career spanning more than 50 years.
Dr O’Brien’s first system was installed at Queensland’s Hay Point coal terminal in 1993.
At an awards ceremony dinner in Hamburg, OMC iHeave® wins the 2012 IBJ ‘Innovative Technology’ (Marine) Award.
Contract announced to install DUKC® management system in Rio Tinto’s Western Australian Cape Lambert port. This is OMC’s 21st DUKC® installation and is significant because Cape Lambert is Rio Tinto’s main growth port
In the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, OMC Founder and Executive Director Dr Terry O’Brien is awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the maritime transport industry.
Contract signed with the Federal Waterways Administration in Germany for DUKC® installations in the four ports of the lower and Outer Weser River, including Bremerhaven.
In Sydney, OMC wins the Lloyd’s List DCN 2009 Maritime Services Award ‘for its work in developing under keel clearance systems, which it has taken to international markets’.
OMC licenses DUKC® to the Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) to help ensure the safety of large ships entering Port Phillip Heads, one of the most challenging waters for ship navigation to be found anywhere on earth.
DUKC® In-Transit wins the ‘Marine Civil Engineering and Construction’ category of the international Seawork 2009 Innovation Showcase Awards in the UK.
DUKC® installed in the North Queensland port of Weipa.
DUKC® VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) operational
DUKC® installed for the Port Kembla Ports Corporation.
DUKC® emergency response capability is successfully tested for the first time when Port Hedland Port Authority requests OMC’s technical help in refloating a large bulk carrier the ‘Iron King,’ which grounded due to a steering malfunction in Port Hedland, Western Australia. OMC helped to quickly unblock the port, avoiding the loss of US $40 million of product per tide cycle.
DUKC®< is installed in Lisbon, Portugal.
Third R&D grant awarded for development of Ground Warning System, later renamed DUKC® VTS.
First DUKC® installation in NSW (Newcastle).
OMC’s quality management system certified to ISO 9001:2000 Certification issued by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Ltd with reciprocal recognition by JAS-ANZ and UKAS.OMC’s quality management system certified to ISO 9001:2000 Certification issued by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Ltd with reciprocal recognition by JAS-ANZ and UKAS.
Marsden Point in New Zealand is the first port to have DUKC® installed purely on safety grounds. The previous year, two super tankers were grounded within three months of each other in the channel leading to NZ’s only oil refinery. It was later shown that a DUKC® system would have prevented both these near environmental disasters due to inadequate UKC.
Second R&D grant awarded for development of PPU, the first ship-based system.
DUKC® system installed at Napier, NZ.
The Victorian State Government showcases OMC as an innovative Victorian company in a promotional campaign for the State titled ‘Spotlight on Victoria – Think Melbourne, Australia for ICT’.
First DUKC® installation in New Zealand (Port Taranaki).
DUKC® system installed at Bunbury.
First R&D grant awarded for a Berth Warning System (BWS) and upgrade of DUKC® system to Series II.
DUKC® system installed at Bunbury.
BHP commissions a DUKC® system at Port Hedland.
DUKC® system is installed at Rio Tinto’s Dampier Port.
DUKC® introduced into Western Australia (Fremantle) for BP tankers, then containers, with strong support from Captain Eric Atkinson, Australia’s longest-serving Harbour Master and 2012-2014 President of the International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA).
First DUKC® Series 1 installation (at Hay Point, Queensland following strong support from Ports Corporation of Queensland) - this is the first operational Dynamic UKC System in the World.
After a distinguished 22-year academic career, Dr O’Brien leaves Melbourne University to commercialise his ship motion research to solve practical problems in the maritime industry and establishes OMC International – working from his home office in converted stables.