Self unloading vessel with record speed of 12,000 t/h boosts iron ore delivery from Africa
When engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities come together, they produce not just ships but strategic tools that can reshape the logistics of entire regions. A self unloading vessel capable of handling 12,000 tonnes per hour is not just a record — it is the key to efficient resource extraction in remote corners of the planet. Such projects demonstrate how China is not only building a fleet but also creating infrastructure solutions that connect continents into a single supply chain.
On Tuesday, China delivered in Jiangsu Province a self unloading vessel with the world's fastest self unloading speed, according to the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). The 41,800 deadweight tonne vessel is 215 metres long, 42 metres wide and has a maximum capacity of 29,000 cubic metres. Its self unloading system is equipped with two bottom mounted reversible longitudinal belt conveyors, capable of discharging cargo independently from either side or simultaneously from both. With an unloading speed of 12,000 tonnes per hour, the vessel now ranks first in the world among professional self unloading ships.
This is the first of five vessels ordered under the Simandou iron ore project, all destined to operate in waters off the coast of Guinea in West Africa. After full commissioning, the fleet will serve as a logistics backbone, providing critical support for stable iron ore production and transshipment.
The Simandou iron ore project is a key project in economic and trade cooperation between China and Guinea, and a major achievement of joint construction under the Belt and Road Initiative. The Simandou project is one of the world's largest untapped iron ore deposits, located in Guinea. Developing the project requires large scale logistics infrastructure, including a specialised fleet to transport ore to the coast. The delivered vessel has become an important link in this chain, ensuring highly efficient cargo transshipment.
As CCTV+ reports. Once all five vessels are commissioned, the Simandou project is expected to reach full capacity, strengthening China's position in the global iron ore supply chain and reducing dependence on traditional exporters.
