A battery-powered self-loading bulk carrier has begun carrying limestone cargo for cement production in South Australia.
The CSL Group built the 125-metre-long MV Yampu to carry limestone from a quarry owned by Adbri on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula to the company’s Birkenhead cement manufacturing plant in Adelaide.
The builders say the vessel is recharged while in dock at Birkenhead, allowing it to operate on batteries around 40% of the time and growing to 100% in time.
The Yampu is expected to reduce diesel consumption by more than 500,000 litres a year.
With a capacity of 11,900 deadweight tonnes, the vessel is expected to carry 2.7 million tonnes of limestone annually.
BATTERY-POWERED STEP FORWARD
CSL Chief Executive Officer Louis Martel says the vessel is “a significant step forward” towards decarbonisation and shows that practical innovation can deliver real environmental benefits and meet commercial demands.
“Every improvement in cargo handling, every enhancement to onboard systems, and every operational innovation has been implemented with one goal in mind: helping our crews perform their work safely, efficiently and sustainably,” he says.
“Ultimately, this vessel showcases how smart design can improve performance.”
Adbri’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Headd says the vessel is a sign of the future for their Klein Point and Birkenhead workforces.
“Every day, the limestone carried by Yampu will help produce the cement used to build homes, hospitals, schools, roads and major infrastructure projects across South Australia and Victoria.
“Being able to do that while further reducing emissions helps Adbri remains at the forefront of lower-carbon cement manufacturing in Australia,” he says.
“The Yampu strengthens our supply chain, supports local jobs and demonstrates that reducing emissions and maintaining a strong Australian manufacturing sector can go hand in hand.”
