When Onslow Iron achieved first ore on ship ahead of schedule in May 2024, less than a year after breaking ground at the Ken’s Bore mine site, the spotlight quickly turned to the project’s growing fleet of innovative 20,000-tonne transhippers.
MinRes is now establishing one of the largest and most sophisticated transhipping operations in Australia, with purpose-built transhippers ferrying iron ore from the Port of Ashburton to ocean going vessels (OGVs) anchored 40km offshore.
But in their wake are two crew transfer vessels (CTVs) – MinRes Element and MinRes Incentive – working hard behind the scenes supporting the continuity and efficiency of Onslow Iron’s unique marine operations.
MinRes CTVs support the transfer of marine crew and specialised personnel – including marine pilots and surveyors – from the shore or from 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 are largely similar vessels, each boasting twin 1,200 horsepower engines with an operational speed of 22 knots and a 0.9m draft.
MinRes Incentive is slightly longer – measuring 22.7m – and features a crane with a 1,130kg lifting capacity at 8m for enhanced functionality. The vessel 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.
MinRes General Manager Marine Operations Richard Furlong said CTVs complement Onslow Iron’s innovative marine operation, which is set to feature five transhippers supporting the project’s ramp-up to 35 million tonnes per year.
“These are critical functional vessels that serve a range of purposes in our marine activities,” Richard 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.”
MinRes’ Onslow Iron project underpins the company’s transition to low-cost, long-life iron ore operations and harnesses in-house innovation and expertise to unlock billions of tonnes of stranded iron ore deposits in the West Pilbara region.
Learn more about Onslow Iron and MinRes’ unique transhipping solution.
