Haul truck of the sea delivered
Rio Tinto Marine has taken delivery in Japan of the first of five new bulk carriers costing a total of US$200 million.
Like haul trucks on water, the ships will principally be used for carrying bauxite from the Weipa mine to Gladstone alumina refineries under a long term freight contract with Rio Tinto Alcan.
They could also take bauxite exports to China if required The RTM Wakmatha, named after the indigenous assistant to explorer Harry Evans who discovered the Weipa bauxite deposits, was delivered in August. Owned and registered in London and flying the British flag, the ship was built by Namura Shipbuilding Company at their shipyard in Imari, Japan.
Construction started in October 2006 and took ten months to complete. The next ships in the series will be delivered at the end of April and July 2008 with the final two in 2009.
Rio Tinto Marine managing director David Peever said the delivery of the ships represents a milestone for Rio Tinto. "They are the first bulk carriers Rio Tinto has owned and are a most value accretive solution for the intense Weipa-Gladstone supply chain. The decision to purchase these vessels was the first major step in a strategy of supply chain participation in domestic and export markets, which is all about creating competitive advantage for Rio Tinto's products and building enterprise value through sea freight. It is an excellent example of two Rio Tinto companies aligning supply chain and marketing needs to create the best Group outcome. Hubie Van Dalsen and his team at Rio Tinto Aluminium deserve credit for this."
The design was developed by Rio Tinto Marine, in conjunction with Rio Tinto Aluminium and Namura shipyards. Made for shallow water operation, at 236 metres long and 43 metres wide, the Wakmatha can carry about 89,000 tonnes of cargo in its five holds on a draft of just 12.8 metres.
Powered by a 13,500 kW diesel engine using about 46 tonnes of fuel oil a day, she will travel at a speed of 15 knots. The accommodation has modern en-suite cabins for up to 25, although the normal operating complement will be 17 crew, plus trainees. The ships have a number of advanced technical features including double skin construction, high lift rudder for manoeuvring, fuel tanks away from the side or bottom of the hull as a precaution against accidental pollution, and lower emissions.
Wakmatha means stormbird. The second vessel will be called RTM Piiramu - again the name of an indigenous Australian who assisted in the Weipa bauxite discovery. Names for the remaining ships have yet to be agreed.