SLN welcomes its future ore carrier to New Caledonia

Proudly welcomed by the charterer – SLN – representatives of the shipyard and the ship-owner who worked on its construction, the Jules Garnier II berthed at SLN’s Doniambo plant in the large natural harbor of Noumea (New Caledonia), on October 4th.

SLN’s new ore carrier is a major innovation in maritime transport: indeed it is the first ship in the world designed to eliminate any risk of capsizing in the event of liquefaction of the nickel ore during a sea voyage. In recent years, several shipwrecks have been attributed to the “free surface” phenomenon: depending on the conditions of the sea and the ore’s water content, the nickel ore is indeed susceptible to liquefaction, generating a displacement of the center of gravity as a result of the movements of the ship, which can cause it to capsize.

Thanks to its narrower holds and their shape which is specially adapted to the density of the nickel ore, risks related to the free surface effect are fully controlled in the Jules Garnier II. A true ore carrier of the future, it makes SLN a pioneer in the shipping of nickel ore by sea, in accordance with the new rules laid down by the International Maritime Organization. It is also an illustration of the capacity for innovation of the subsidiary of the ERAMET Groupe and successful collaboration between the operational personnel, support functions, ship-owner and shipbuilder.

The Jules Garnier II and its crew of 18 people now take part in the 160 annual voyages made by the SLN fleet between its 4 mining centers and its metallurgical Doniambo plant thereby assuring it a regular supply of nickel ore. The SLN thus reinforces its integrated industrial model, controlling the whole process, from mining through to the metallurgical stage in New Caledonia.