EMS-Tech celebrates delivery of world's highest capacity self-unloading system
(Posted on 25/07/26)
EMS-Tech is celebrating the successful delivery of WONTANARA, the first of a new class of high-capacity self-unloading transhipment vessels built by CSSC Chengxi Shipyard for the joint venture between Rio Tinto, Chinalco and the Government of Guinea supporting the world-class Simandou Iron Ore Project.
The Canadian engineering and equipment supply company specialises in high-performance bulk material handling systems for the global mining, marine and industrial sectors,
The self-unloading system represents a significant milestone for the global bulk material handling and marine industries. Publicly recognized as the world's largest shallow-water transhipment self-unloader, the fastest specialised self-unloading vessel ever built, and the first bidirectional self-unloading vessel of its class, WONTANARA establishes a new benchmark in marine bulk handling capability.
At the heart of this achievement is the complete EMS-Tech designed and supplied self-unloading system, engineered to deliver an unprecedented 12,000 metric tonnes per hour of iron ore—currently the highest unloading capacity of any self-unloading vessel in operation.
The integrated system includes:
- Two of the largest ‘C’ Loop conveyors ever placed into commercial operation, surpassing the previous record-setting C-Loop system designed and supplied by EMS-Tech only two years earlier.
- Two high-capacity luffing, slewing and shuttling shiploaders.
- Two reversible tunnel conveyors, allowing full operational redundancy.
- A series of EMS-Tech patented feeder gates, specifically developed to maximize throughput and maintain consistent material flow during high-capacity unloading operations.
Designed specifically for the demanding operating environment of Guinea's Simandou Project, the system combines industry-leading unloading performance with the reliability and redundancy required for continuous transhipment operations.
This delivery follows several landmark projects completed by EMS-Tech in recent years, including world-leading self-unloading and transhipment systems delivered for ArcelorMittal and Mineral Resources, further strengthening the company's reputation as one of the world's foremost designers of large-scale marine bulk material handling systems.
For nearly four decades, EMS-Tech has specialized exclusively in the design, engineering and delivery of high-performance bulk material handling systems for the global mining and marine sectors. From self-unloading vessels and floating transhipment systems to shiploaders, stackers, reclaimers, mobile hoppers and complete turnkey conveying systems, EMS-Tech continues to push the boundaries of engineering innovation and operational performance.
"The delivery of WONTANARA is much more than the completion of another material handling system; it represents years of collaboration, innovation and trust between exceptional organizations around the world. To see a project of this scale become reality is something our entire team takes enormous pride in. It demonstrates what can be achieved when owners, shipbuilders, suppliers and engineers work together with a common vision. We believe this vessel establishes a new global benchmark for self-unloading technology and we're excited to see it begin operations when it arrives in Guinea," said Kyle Sorensen, Director, Business Development & Marine System Sales, EMS-Tech
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