CSL has taken delivery of the MV Wontanara, the first of five state-of-the-art transhipment shuttle vessels built for Guinea’s massive Simandou iron ore project. Featuring a 41,800-tonne deadweight capacity, shallow-draft design, and a record-breaking 12,000-tonne-per-hour dual-boom self-unloading system, the fleet sets a new global standard for high-volume offshore transfer.
Montreal, Canada | July 27, 2026 – The CSL Group has achieved a major milestone in global bulk logistics with the official delivery of the MV Wontanara. As the first of five state-of-the-art transhipment shuttle vessels (TSVs) commissioned for the massive Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, the vessel establishes a new benchmark for high-capacity offshore transfer.
Designed by CSL and constructed at the CSSC Chengxi Shipyard, the groundbreaking fleet combines immense cargo capacity with unprecedented offloading speeds, custom-tailored to unlock one of the world’s largest mining and infrastructure developments.
Engineering High-Volume Transhipment for Shallow Waters
Operating in demanding river and coastal environments requires specialized naval architecture. The MV Wontanara and its upcoming sister ships are purpose-built to bridge inland river terminals and deep-sea bulk carriers safely and continuously.
Key design and operational specifications include:
- Massive Capacity & Speed: A 41,800-tonne deadweight capacity paired with an advanced dual-boom self-unloading system capable of transferring iron ore at a staggering 12,000 tonnes per hour, making it the fastest TSV fleet in existence.
- Shallow-Draft Optimization: Engineered specifically to navigate restricted river channels without compromising payload.
- Superior Manoeuvrability: Equipped with five azimuth thrusters to ensure precise station-keeping and handling in tight marine spaces.
- Bi-Directional Navigation: Enhances operational safety and turnaround efficiency in restricted fairways.
From Concept to Delivery: A Collaborative Industrial Triumph
CSL spearheaded the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept design and detailed engineering to construction oversight and delivery, leveraging its decades of expertise in self-unloading technology.
“The advanced design and cargo-handling capabilities of this fleet reflect CSL’s expertise in transforming complex logistics challenges into practical, high-performance maritime solutions,” said Louis Martel, CSL President and CEO. “Working closely with our customer, we designed an integrated transhipment system that enables safe, efficient and continuous high-volume exports in shallow-water environments.”
The Simandou project represents a transformative economic and logistical undertaking for Guinea. With the MV Wontanara now officially delivered, the remaining four vessels in the five-ship TSV fleet are slated for rollout over the coming months, promising to scale up export capabilities to match the staggering scale of the Simandou iron ore deposits.
The CSL Group Inc. (CSL)
Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, The CSL Group is a world-leading provider of marine dry bulk cargo handling and delivery services. Tracing its roots back to 1845, CSL employs approximately 1,500 people globally across its shipboard and shoreside operations. Through its core regional divisions, including Canada Steamship Lines, CSL Americas, CSL Australia, CSL Asia, CSL Europe, and CSL Transhipment, the company owns and operates a highly diversified fleet of specialized self-unloading vessels, offshore transshippers, and Handysize bulk carriers, moving more than 78 million tonnes of industrial cargo annually.
Source: The CSL Group