With its expertise in nickel ore, SLN has contributed, in partnership with a Japanese ship-owner, to designing an anti-free surface effect ship to make the maritime transport of the ore safer. This new ore carrier was launched in Japan on July 4th.
Under certain conditions and depending on its water content, nickel ore may liquefy when being carried by sea. This liquefaction can lead to significant loss of stability, sometimes going as far as causing the ship to sink. This is what is called the “free surface” phenomenon.
Faced with this problem, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recently strengthened legislation relating to the transportation of minerals. SLN did not wait for these new rules to come into effect before investing in the study of alternative transportation using a specialized vessel. It took part in design studies beginning in 2009 and then in measurements of the density of the ores in the following year, all of which helped lead to the design of an anti-free surface effect ship which is totally innovative.
The new ship chartered by the SLN is expected in New Caledonia in early October 2012.
