Chinese shipbuilder delivers self-unloading bulk carrier for iron ore transshipment

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) confirmed its subsidiary delivered a 41,800-tonne self-unloading bulk carrier custom-built for the landmark Simandou iron ore project off the coast of West Africa's Guinea Tuesday.

The ship claims three global industry milestones. It is the world's largest deadweight shallow-water transshipment self-unloader, the fastest self-unloading vessel and the first bidirectional sailing self-unloader in its tonnage class worldwide.

Constructed by CSSC Chengxi Shipyard for global mining giant Rio Tinto, the vessel WONTANARA spans 215 meters in length, 42 meters in beam and 14.5 meters in moulded depth, with a 29,000-cubic-meter cargo hold capacity.

The carrier with onboard discharge machinery requires no shore-based port cranes to unload cargo. It will operate as a marine shuttle ferrying ore between shallow-water terminals and offshore deep-sea anchorages in Guinea.

Zhang Xinlong, general manager of CSSC Chengxi Shipyard, noted short-distance ore transit between shallow docks and deep anchorages has long capped mine output capacity. The new vessel's design enables seamless navigation through narrow inland waterways and accelerates berthing and departure cycles.

If transporting 41,800 tonnes of iron ore by standard rail, it would require a train of 700 cars that stretches more than seven kilometers. By comparison, WONTANARA can complete full discharge of the identical cargo volume in less than 3.5 hours, substantially lifting mine shipment volumes and operational profitability.

CSSC Chengxi Shipyard currently commands the world's largest market share in self-unloading vessel construction. The yard independently completed all layout and installation work for the ship's full self-unloading system. ■