World’s First Battery-Powered Self-Unloading Bulk Carrier Starts Commercial Operations In Australia

The world’s first battery-powered self-unloading bulk carrier has started commercial operations in Australia.

The vessel, MV Yampu, has a 6,758-kilowatt-hour battery system and is expected to cut diesel use by more than 500,000 litres a year.

The 125-metre vessel began operations on Aug. 26. It will carry limestone from Adbri’s Klein Point quarry on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula to the company’s Birkenhead cement manufacturing facility in Adelaide.

MV Yampu can run on battery power for about 40% of the time. The vessel has also been designed to run on 100% battery power in the future.

It can carry 11,900 deadweight tonnes and is expected to transport around 2.7 million tonnes of limestone every year.

Replacing MV Accolade II

CSL built MV Yampu specifically for Adbri’s route between Klein Point and Birkenhead.

The new vessel replaces MV Accolade II and is expected to increase Adbri’s annual limestone carrying capacity by 35%.

Its batteries are charged while the vessel is docked at Adbri’s Birkenhead facility. This allows the ship to use battery power for part of the journey and its operations.

Adbri and CSL said MV Yampu is expected to use more than 500,000 litres less diesel each year than MV Accolade II. It is also expected to cut Scope 1 emissions by 40%.

The limestone carried by the vessel will be used to make cement for homes, schools, hospitals, roads and other major infrastructure projects in South Australia and Victoria.

Limestone from Klein Point has been used to support cement manufacturing in South Australia for more than a century.

Battery System Cuts Diesel Use

CSL Chief Executive Officer Louis Martel said the vessel was part of the company’s efforts to reduce emissions.

He said changes to cargo handling, onboard systems and vessel operations were made to help crews work safely, efficiently and sustainably.

Adbri Chief Executive Officer Paul Headd said the new vessel would support the company’s supply chain, local jobs and manufacturing in South Australia.

He said the limestone carried by MV Yampu would be used to produce cement for homes, hospitals, schools, roads and major infrastructure projects across South Australia and Victoria.

Designed for Full Battery Power in Future

MV Yampu currently runs on battery power for around 40% of the time.

However, the vessel has been designed so that it can eventually operate on 100% battery power.

The vessel will continue to carry limestone between Klein Point and Birkenhead as part of Adbri’s cement supply chain.

Why It Is Called Yampu

The vessel was named through an Adbri naming process.

“Yampu” means “dolphin” in the Narungga and Kaurna languages of South Australia.

The name was chosen to reflect the vessel’s connection with South Australia and its marine environment.

CSL said it is the world’s largest owner and operator of self-unloading ships.

References: CSL Group