New vessel traffic centre to support LNG industry

A new vessel traffic centre will improve vessel safety in the Australian ports of Gladstone, Bundaberg and Alma. The centre will use world-class technology to track shipping movements.

On a visit to the new AU$ 2 million vessel tracking centre, Assistant Minister for Public Transport, Steve Minnikin, commented: “The new vessel traffic service will oversee shipping movements through some of Queensland’s key ports. It will provide unprecedented monitoring of shipping movements from a world-class centre, delivering on this government’s promise to revitalise front line services.

Manage port shipping

“The new port vessel traffic service will assist in safely managing port shipping by ensuring 24/7 advice and guidance on position of other ships, weather, tidal condition and possible hazards to navigation.”

The tracking system was funding with support from the LNG industry, in conjunction with the Port of Gladstone.

Purpose-built facility

Gladstone MP Liz Cunningham also inspected the new centre, and praised technicians and staff experts who worked over many months to fit out the new purpose-built facility.

Cunningham commented: “The centre will have a panoramic view of Gladstone Harbour supported by state-of-the-art radar, CCTV, weather sensors and navigation aids boosting safety on our waterways.

Port of Gladstone

“Traffic in the harbour is increasing due to the LNG facilities at Curtis Island and this new vessel traffic service centre means Gladstone is ready to enter a new energy export era.

“We have also been assured there will be no interruption to ongoing shipping operations when the old centre is transferred to the new facility.”

Curtis Island LNG

When the Curtis Island LNG facility comes online in the next few months, the vessel traffic service will assist in monitoring LNG ships to safely transit the port of Gladstone and surrounding waters.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/26032014/vessel_traffic_centre_supports_australian_lng_342/