CSL and Adbri team up on fully electric battery-capable self-unloading ship

Canadian shipping company Canada Steam Ship Lines (CSL) has entered into a 20-year strategic partnership with Adelaide Brighton Cement Ltd. (Adbri) to build and operate what has been described as the ‘world’s first fully electric battery-capable self-unloading vessel’.

The custom-designed ship is intended to replace Adbri’s Accolade II and support the company’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,” explains Louis Martel, CSL President and CEO.

“By 2031, we aim to run the ship entirely on electric power, further reducing Scope 1 emissions to less than 10%.”

The vessel will feature a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system combined with advanced battery installations, providing a pathway to decarbonize shipping operations. Approximately 50% of the vessel’s energy requirements will be provided by a combination of shore power and battery energy storage, with plans to install sufficient batteries in the future to allow 100% electric operations, CSL said.

“Adbri is excited to have one of the world’s first 100% battery electric capable cargo vessels as our limestone carrier,” said Mark Irwin, Adbri Chief Executive Officer.

“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 vessel is scheduled to begin in 2024 and delivery is expected in early 2026.

CSL did not specify the name of the shipbuilder in charge of the vessel construction.