Iron ore loading and discharge operations
Our services
Self-Unloading
Contact our experts
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway
Chantal Picard
Vice-President, Commercial, Canada
+1 514 982 3887 Chantal.Picard@cslships.com
The Americas and Caribbean
Henrik Friis
Vice-President, Commercial, Americas and Pool
+1 978 299 1011 Henrik.Friis@cslships.com
Australia and Asia
Allen Dobie
Vice-President, Commercial, Australia and Asia
+61 2 9432 7509 Allen.Dobie@cslships.com
Africa and Europe
Jakob Hansen
Senior Vice-President, Commercial and Transhipment
+44 77 7190 5901 Jakob.Hansen@cslships.com
CSL is the world’s largest owner and operator of gravity self-unloading vessels. Our highly-diversified fleet of self-unloaders offers exceptional value, speed, versatility and efficiency as part of a sustainable supply chain for our customers.
The rapid discharge rate of our self-unloading ships and their reduced infrastructure and labour requirements make this bulk cargo handling option an effective and cost-competitive solution that helps keep costs down and minimize environmental impacts.
We Like a Challenge
Our self-unloaders are called on to perform unique cargo deliveries for clients all over the world. Our ship and shore teams work collaboratively to deliver high-capacity and environmentally-sound solutions that get the job done safely and efficiently. Most CSL self-unloader can also be easily upgraded to perform transhipment services.
Number one
We are the world’s largest owner-operator of self-unloaders in the world
Sustainable and flexible
Our self-unloading ships deliver high-capacity and sustainable solutions to our customers
Award winning
MV Nukumi and MV Baie St. Paul were named the IBJ Ship of the Year and the Royal Institution of Naval Artchitects’ Significant Ship of the Year in 2022 and 2012 respectively
How Does a Self-Unloader Work?
Our highly diversified self-unloader fleet features a wide range of technologies and solutions, and our gravity-fed self-unloaders are the mainstay of our operations around the world. We are renowned for our loop belt gravity-fed technology featured in this video.
Advantages and Applications
01
Safe
Our owned fleet of self-unloaders are equipped with extra fire safety systems, above and beyond regulatory requirements. The landing and lighting systems onboard our vessels are continuously inspected, maintained, and upgraded according to the highest safety standards.
02
Environmentally Focused
Loading and discharge operations on our self-unloaders can be carried out within a completely enclosed system, ensuring a clean ship and dock, no dust pollution around the harbour and reduced noise levels. Advanced dust suppression equipment and fully enclosed or covered booms on many of our vessels further reduce the potential for dust or spillage. Noise generated by the ship’s self-unloading machinery is controlled through the use of acoustic enclosures and sound barriers.
03
Reliable
Our ship and shore teams work closely together to execute our operations safely and efficiently, and we make ourselves available 24/7 to ensure our customers’ needs are met.
04
Fast
We offer 24/7 cargo operations, with self-unloading performance at speeds of up to 5,000 tonnes per hour – this impressive discharge rate is faster than conventional dry-bulk carriers and does not require the expense of stevedores or cleanup crews.
05
Efficient
Our self-unloading services deliver more useable product than conventional vessels by virtually eliminating waste and contamination.
06
Versatile
CSL’s self-unloaders allow for cargo operations in any accessible waterway. Our self-unloaders do not require shore-based discharge systems or additional infrastructure. Anywhere from 0 to 70 metres from quayside, our ships can discharge directly into a hopper, a barge, a quay or a warehouse or store. Included in our self-unloader services suite are offshore transhipment operations, topping up or offloading into larger vessels.
07
Cost-Effective
Moving cargo with our self-unloaders reduces the overall delivered cost per tonne because our ships are fast, efficient and less capital and labour intensive than shore-based systems. The rapid turnaround time of our self-unloaders frees up congested berths, thus reducing port costs and demurrage.
08
Digitally Optimized
Our owned ships are equipped with our proprietary Operational Optimizer (O2) system, which provides us with real-time, accurate information on vessel performance. Using O2, we leverage collected data to improve fuel consumption and speed to achieve efficiencies.
