CSL to build world’s first battery self-unloader
Written by Nick Blenkey
Image: CSL
Canada’s CSL Group has entered a 20-year strategic partnership with Australia’s Adelaide Brighton Cement Ltd. (Adbri) to build and operate the world’s first fully-electric battery capable self-unloading vessel. The custom-designed battery self-unloader will replace Adbri’s Accolade II.
The new vessel will support Adbri’s limestone operations in South Australia with a focus on enhanced efficiency and environmental responsibility. The ship will carry up to 2.7 million tonnes of limestone per year, which represents a 35% increase over the existing vessel’s carrying capacity.
“Developed in line with CSL and Adbri’s shared decarbonization vision, this groundbreaking vessel will initially run on a hybrid diesel and battery system, replacing 25% of diesel with electric power and lowering Scope 1 emissions by 40% compared to Accolade II,” says CSL president and CEO Louis Martel. “By 2031, we aim to run the ship entirely on electric power, further reducing Scope 1 emissions to less than 10%.”
The design of the 11,000 DWT self-loading and self-discharging bulk carrier has been optimized to provide a fully integrated limestone supply chain for Adbri. The hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system will be combined with one of the most advanced battery installations on a bulk carrier. Approximately 50% of the vessel’s energy requirements will be provided by a combination of shore power and battery energy storage. Future plans are to install sufficient battery capacity to allow 100% electric operations.
“Adbri is excited to have one of the world’s first 100% battery electric capable cargo vessels as our limestone carrier,” said Adbri CEO Mark Irwin. “The new vessel, owned and operated by CSL, will support Adbri to increase cement volumes at Birkenhead, while also supporting the production of lower carbon products such as EvoCem™ that uses limestone as a clinker substitute.”
Construction of the new battery self-unloader will begin in 2024 and delivery is expected in early 2026.
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