Mineral Resources (MinRes) is continuing the ramp-up of its Onslow Iron project in Western Australia, with the establishment of one of the largest transhipping operations in the country.
Once Onslow Iron product reaches the Port of Ashburton, it will be shipped via an initial fleet of five transhippers to the awaiting ocean-going vessels (OGVs) anchored 40km offshore from the port.
Each transhipper has a 20,000-tonne capacity, a loading rate of 8,000 tonnes per hour and an unloading rate of 6000 tonnes per hour.
Further supporting the Onslow Iron transhipping operation are two new crew transfer vessels (CTVs), MinRes Element and MinRes Incentive.
Both CTVs support the transfer of marine crew and specialised personnel, including marine pilots and surveyors, from the shore or from the transhippers to OGVs.
They also transfer stores, provisions and equipment, provide a marine platform for critical port works and support emergency response situations such as helping transhippers avoid cyclone activity.
MinRes Element and MinRes Incentive each boast twin 1200 horsepower engines with an operational speed of 22 knots and a 0.9m draft.
MinRes Incentive runs 12 hours per day and can carry 36 passengers and three crew, while MinRes Element runs 24 hours per day and holds 46 passengers and two crew.
“These are critical functional vessels that serve a range of purposes in our marine activities,” MinRes general manager marine operations Richard Furlong said.
“As Onslow Iron’s transhipping solution is unique to our industry and operates around the clock, both vessels were refurbished mechanically, functionally and aesthetically to suit our specific project requirements.
“These vessels play an important role supporting the Onslow Iron’s safe and ongoing ramp-up to nameplate capacity (of 35 million tonnes per annum).”
MinRes will eventually expand its Onslow Iron fleet to seven transhippers as part of the fully integrated mine-to-ship mining and transport infrastructure it has designed and built.
Four of the Onslow Iron transhippers are already in action, with the fifth transhipper expected to arrive in 2025 and the sixth and seventh due for 2026.
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