THE CAREER of one of the longest-serving Australian commercial coastal vessels has come to an end with the final voyage on Sunday [14 June] of AdBri’s limestone carrier Accolade II.
The 8,060 DWT self-discharger was built in 1982 by Carrington Slipways, Newcastle for the then Adelaide Brighton Cement Co and after completion of service at the weekend set sail from Port Adelaide this morning for Whyalla, where it will be responsibly recycled.
“Over 44 years, she completed 11,022 voyages and travelled 1.85 million kilometres - an extraordinary operational record made possible by the dedication and expertise of countless people,” AdBri said in a LinkedIn post. “From crew members and engineers to port operators, shore-side teams, and trusted service partners, her success reflects decades of consistent commitment and collaboration.”
The MV Yampu is currently en route to South Australia where it will commence operations for Adbri in Birkenhead. Image: CSL Ships
The 108-metre Accolade II played a critical and dependable role in Adbri’s cement supply chain, transporting limestone daily from Adbri’s Klein Point Quarry to Birkenhead, the company said.
Accolade II is being replaced by the CSL Group newbuilding Yampu, the world's first battery-powered self-unloading bulk carrier. The 11,000 DWT vessel was delivered on 5 June at Jiangjiang Nanyang Shipyard and has departed on its maiden voyage to South Australia, where it is currently expected to arrive 4 July.
Designed specifically for limestone transport, Yampu will move approximately 2.7 million tonnes of cargo annually, increasing transport capacity by 35% compared to the vessel it replaces. The new carrier features advanced hybrid propulsion technology that is expected to reduce diesel consumption by 25% and lower Scope 1 emissions by 40%.
CSL Australia plans to transition the Australian-crewed vessel to fully electric operation by 2031, which could cut emissions by more than 90%. The company says the project highlights the growing adoption of low-emission technologies in bulk shipping and marks a significant milestone in the maritime industry's decarbonization efforts.
Yampu will operate under a 20-year agreement between AdBri and CSL, with two five-year options.