Port Botany has seen a record-breaking berth with the safe arrival of the MSC Asya, the deepest and heaviest container ship to ever dock at the port.
The MSC Asya docked at Port Botany on 15 October, coming in with a draught of 14.8 meters and a displacement of 140,252 tonnes.
The Port Authority of New South Wales (PANSW) utilised Dynamic Under Keel Clearance (DUKC) technology from OMC International, which allowed it to accurately predict the under-keel clearance required to berth the ship safely, by factoring in the ship’s weight, dynamic motions of the vessel and live weather conditions.
“While the DUKC is an important part of what made it possible to bring a ship with 14.8-meter draught into the port, the work of the pilotage and VTS teams in this achievement was equally as important,” said Myron Fernandes, Harbour Master for the Port Authority of NSW Sydney.
“We’ve now proven that Port Botany can accommodate ships with similar draughts easily and safely. Through this recent achievement, PANSW has managed to showcase greater efficiency and capacity outcomes at the port without the need for significant changes to infrastructure.”
Port Botany also recently revealed its plans to enhance its infrastructure through its automation project which included the addition of new automated rail mounted gantry (ARMG) cranes at Patrick Terminals. The machines arrived during the weekend of 21 and 22 March 2020 from the Zhen Hua 36, a Chinese vessel.
