ClassNK endorsement for OMC International’s Dynamic UKC System (DUKC)

(Posted on 17/10/25)

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a Keel Clearance (UKC) predictive port management system ‘Dynamic UKC System (DUKC)’ developed by OMC International.

In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology with innovative functions.

OMC International (OMC) is an Australian maritime engineering company that has developed award-winning e-Navigation technology to improve transit for large commercial ships in draft restricted entrance channels and waterways. It determines and manages a ship’s Under Keel Clearance (UKC) dynamically and in real-time.

OMC has a strong research focus and its Melbourne-based team of maritime and software engineers continue to commercialise new safety products. These include automated ship scheduling tool DUKC Optimiser which maximises total tide tonnage and award-winning ship motion measurement instrument OMC iHeave.

Product name: Dynamic UKC System (DUKC)
Scope of Certification:

1. Calculates the maximum safe sailing draft for a vessel based on its dynamic under keel clearance requirements specific to its transit

2. Calculates the earliest and latest times for which a vessel's transit can safely commence (sailing window) based on its dynamic under keel clearance requirements

3. Increases cargo volume at ports

4. Calculates the depth required at every location along a channel to ensure safe navigation

5. Calculates the required under keel clearance that a vessel requires for a?specific transit based on the prevailing environmental conditions

By dynamically modelling each UKC component and then adding an additional safety allowance; DUKC transits achieve an accuracy and safety that far exceed traditional static rules that assume fixed allowances from which UKC components must be accounted for.

DUKC models are specifically configured and validated based on full-scale measurements at the port, and comply with international standards for safety of navigation in shallow waterways.