VESSEL REVIEW | Wontanara – Self-unloading vessel to facilitate iron ore transshipments in Guinea

Canadian shipping company the CSL Group has taken delivery of Wontanara, the first of five transshipment shuttle vessels commissioned for the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea.

Designed by CSL and built by CSSC Chengxi Shipbuilding in China, the vessel is intended to transport more than 40,000 tonnes of iron ore between river terminals and ocean-going bulk carriers offshore. Self-unloading capability meanwhile enables her to discharge her cargo even when transferring to terminals or receiving vessels that lack the necessary handling equipment.

CSL stated that it managed the project from concept design through engineering and construction oversight before the vessel's delivery in late July 2026.

Efficient handling systems allowing for faster turnarounds

Wontanara has an LOA of 215 metres (705 feet), a beam of 42 metres (140 feet), a draught of 7.5 metres (25 feet), a depth of 14.5 metres (47.6 feet), a deadweight of 41,800, a gross tonnage of 42,481, and a crew of 28.

The vessel is equipped with a cargo hold with a capacity of 29,000 cubic metres (one million cubic feet) and a dual-boom self-unloading system capable of transferring up to 12,000 tonnes of iron ore per hour, giving her one of the highest self-unloading rates of any vessel in operation today.

During normal operations, the crew will activate a hydraulically-operated sluice located at the bottom of the cargo hold. There are 60 sluice gates in two rows, and after these doors slowly open, the cargo stored in the bucket-shaped hold will continuously flow through the gates onto the closed conveyor belt with the aid of gravity. A flexible and adjustable discharge arm conveyor belt will then precisely transport the cargo, delivering it to the receiving equipment on another vessel or to a storage area on the shore.

This entire setup has been configured to permit operation by only six people, thus reducing manpower requirements.

Also configured for inland operations, ensuring greater flexibility

The vessel also features a hull designed for river navigation, five azimuthing thrusters to permit operation without tug assistance, and bi-directional navigation capabilities for operations in shallow-water environments. Electric propulsion was selected to permit navigation with minimal environmental impact.

CSL President and Chief Executive Officer Louis Martel said that the company worked closely with the customer in designing an integrated transshipment system that will enable safe, efficient and continuous high-volume exports in shallow-water environments.

Wontanara is registered to Liberia and was built in compliance with DNV class requirements. The remaining four vessels in the series are scheduled to enter service over the coming months.

The vessel will be operated by SimFer, the joint venture formed by the Government of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and the Chinalco-led CIOH Consortium.