Port Hedland port upgrades comms system

The Port Hedland Port Authority has upgraded the communications system used by its shipping control tower to coordinate sea and air traffic, including bulk iron ore carriers and marine pilots.

Aerial view of the port (Courtesy: The Port Hedland Port Authority)

The authority has moved from its existing Omnitronics DX-64 radio dispatch system to a DX-Altus system made by the same vendor. (pdf)

The authority's chief executive officer Roger Johnston expected the upgraded system to help vessel traffic service officers "more effectively communicate with a wide range of port staff and users", particularly as vessel movements continued to grow.

"The latest technology also provides acoustic shock protection to eliminate feedback caused by radio interference, improving Occupational Health & Safety for operators," he stated. (pdf)

Technical support and monitoring of the system would be performed remotely from Perth, meaning the port no longer required onsite technicians.

The port authority is owned by the Western Australian Government. Its major export commodity is iron ore, mined from the Eastern Pilbara region.