CSL and leading cement maker collaborate on world’s first electric self-unloading vessel

CSL has announced a 20-year collaboration with Adelaide Brighton Cement Ltd (Adbri), a leading manufacturer of cement, lime and pre-packaged dry-mix products, to build and operate the first-ever self-unloading vessel powered entirely by electric batteries.

“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,” explains Louis Martel, CSL’s president and CEO, referring to the vessel the new self-unloader will replace.

The goal is to have the new vessel running entirely on electricity by 2031, further reducing emissions to less than 10% compared to its predecessor.

Designed to optimize Adbri's limestone supply chain, the 11,000 DWT bulk carrier will have a 35% increase in transport capacity. Featuring a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and one of the world's largest battery installations on a bulk carrier, the vessel paves the way for shipping’s decarbonization. Approximately half of its energy needs will be met by combining shore power and battery energy storage, with the prospect of a transition to 100% electric operations.

Construction of the vessel will start in 2024, with delivery scheduled for early 2026.