New vessel type to speed Guinea-China iron ore trade

The 41,800 dwt self-unloader is owned by SimFer, the joint venture bringing together Rio Tinto, Chalco Iron Ore Holdings and the Guinean government. Canadian self-unloading specialist CSL is also involved in the vessel programme.   Wontanara, meaning “we are together” in Soussou, was handed over in Jiangsu on Tuesday. The ship measures 215 m long and 42 m wide, with a moulded depth of 14.5 m, a design draught of 7.5 m and a 29,000 cu m cargo hold.   Chengxi claims the vessel has established three records: the world’s largest deadweight shallow-water transhipment self-unloader, the fastest specialist self-unloader and the first vessel in its tonnage class capable of sailing in both directions.      Two reversible longitudinal conveyor belts and twin C-shaped lifting systems provide a combined discharge rate of 12,000 tonnes per hour, allowing a full cargo to be unloaded in less than three-and-a-half hours.   Five azimuth thrusters and the bidirectional design are intended to improve manoeuvrability and accelerate voyages between Simandou’s shallow-water port facilities and large bulk carriers waiting offshore.   SimFer ordered five ships in the series. The second and third units were launched on May 6 and June 30 and are scheduled for delivery during the first half of next year. Once all five vessels are operating, Chengxi said they will be capable of transferring enough ore to load a 200,000 dwt bulk carrier within 24 hours, reducing anchorage waiting times and supporting SimFer’s production ramp-up.      The ships will serve Simandou blocks 3 and 4, where Rio Tinto is the majority shareholder and managing partner. The Guinean development is expected to become one of the world’s most important new sources of high-grade iron ore.