The MV Yampu, a 125-meter bulk cargo vessel, has entered service as the world's first self-loading and unloading ship of its kind. Developed by CSL Group for Adbri, the vessel features a diesel-electric drive system and a 131-ton marine battery pack from Wärtsilä with a capacity of 6,758 kWh and an output exceeding 600 kW.
The ship operates on a route between the Klein Point quarry and a cement factory in Birkenhead, Australia, covering a 42-mile stretch of the Gulf St. Vincent. It is tasked with transporting 2.7 million tonnes of raw limestone annually, replacing road transport and reducing fuel consumption by 25% while lowering Scope 1 emissions by over 40%.
Onboard batteries enable the ship to run on electric power for up to 40% of its journey and provide energy for the self-unloading equipment. This system eliminates the need for diesel generators during cargo handling. Operators are currently looking toward 2031 as a potential target for transitioning future vessels to fully electric power via shore-charging infrastructure.
