MRA laser precision to stop ship collision
CONCERNS for personnel safety and the cost of damage to valuable equipment and operational downtimes were the key drivers for Port Waratah to work with MRA on an automated, ship loader anti-collision system.
Installed in 2018, MRA’s Smart Ship Loader Anti-Collision System (SLAC) uses laser technology and smart analytics to build a real-time protection zone surrounding the ship loader’s boom and shuttle, its spout or spoon and operator cabin.
MRA engineering manager Peter McPherson said data from seven lasers is used to create a highly-accurate, real-time model of the vessel and ship loader.
“Rather than just knowing that some object broke a laser beam, the SLAC provides situational awareness,” he said.
“Any object entering or nearing this dynamically defined zone can be identified and as appropriate, trigger warnings and action within the PLC.”
The SLAC works with all major vessel classes, bridge configurations and hatch types, including butterfly and horizontal; and accounts for any deck gear such as cranes, hoists and light poles.
A valuable feature is the 3D Visualisation Playback that enables a site to review past activity.
MRA general manager Rod Devetak said the company was investing significant resources into enhancing SLAC, and plans to support automatic hatch relocation.
“In 58 months of active operations across Port Waratah and Port Kembla, there has been zero collision incidents,” he said.
“We see the automation of operations at the ship loader as the next frontier in materials handling.”