CSL Australia and Adbri have begun operations with ‘Yampu’, described as the world’s first battery-powered self-unloading bulk carrier, and said to represent a major milestone for Australian manufacturing, maritime innovation and lower-emissions supply chains.
Purpose-built by CSL, the 125m vessel will transport limestone from Adbri’s Klein Point quarry on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula to the company’s Birkenhead cement manufacturing in Adelaide, helping secure a critical raw material for the supply of locally manufactured cement used in major infrastructure projects across South Australia and Victoria.
The hybrid vessel’s 6,758kWh batteries are recharged while docked at Adbri’s Birkenhead facility, allowing Yampu to operate on battery power around 40% of the time. Compared with the vessel it replaces, Yampu is expected to reduce diesel consumption by more than 500,000 litres per year, representing a significant step forward in maritime decarbonisation.
With a capacity of 11,900 dwt, the vessel is expected to transport 2.7m tonnes of limestone each year. Yampu is designed to operate on 100% battery power in the future.
CSL CEO Louis Martel said: “Yampu represents a significant step forward in our decarbonisation journey and demonstrates how practical innovation can deliver real environmental benefits while meeting the demands of commercial operations. 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. Ultimately, this vessel showcases how smart design can improve performance.”
Paul Headd, Adbri CEO, added: “For the teams at Klein Point and Birkenhead, this is much more than a new vessel entering service. It’s an investment in their future and the future of manufacturing in South Australia. 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. 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.”
Image: ‘Yampu’ is the first battery-hybrid self-unloading bulk carrier (source: CSL)
