The Alliance for Supply Chain Innovation (ASCI) has signed a two-year research agreement worth over $800,000 with Ports Australia – supported by nine ports Australia-wide – into minimising the risks of moving vessels in port waters.
Predominantly focusing on using technology to reduce the time through the port, the research will also lead to maximising safety and shortening this component of the supply chain.
“We have been looking for innovation in the ports arena, where our ports can contribute to improved productivity and throughput times as well as safety,” said David Anderson, CEO of Ports Australia. “I am confident this research will bring us closer to that.”
Complementing the project is Ports Australia’s industry partnership with the University of Wollongong (UoW) in an Australian Research Council (ARC) funded Linkage Project with an additional $652,000 from the ARC for further research that directly aligns with this project.
CEO of ASCI Dr Pieter Nagel said the project represents an excellent example of ASCI’s model of inter-university collaboration. “In addition to the grant contribution from the ARC, it provides a great example of industry research requirements being met by academic research. This is an excellent example of the fundamental philosophy on which ASCI was founded.”
Researchers from the University of Wollongong, University of Technology Sydney, University of Western Sydney, University of Newcastle, University of Technology Sydney, RMIT University and Curtin University are involved in the project.
Prof Tim Coltman of UoW said: “Australia is particularly reliant on port waters and this research will support technology and innovation management when the need to ‘err on the side of caution’ is high.”
“The nature of this project poses unique challenges,” Dr Nagel said, “but the rewards for Ports Australia and the participating research institutions will be enormous.”
