VIDEO: MinRes picks Schottel propulsion for giant Onslow Iron project ATBs

Australian mining services company Mineral Resources Limited (MinRes) has selected Schottel solutions for barges and tugs serving its Onslow Iron project, which is unlocking billions of tonnes of previously stranded iron ore deposits in the West Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The project uses an innovative supply chain from pit to port: After being crushed in unique modular crushers, iron ore is transported on a private dedicated haul road to the Port of Ashburton, where a closed conveyor system loads the ore onto the transhippers — 20,000-tonne capacity ATB units. These shallow draft vessels ferry the ore to awaiting ocean going vessels anchored 40 kilometers offshore – eliminating the need for a deep water port and significantly reducing the environmental impact of the operation.

All seven transhipment barges and two of the project’s seven tugs are newbuilds being constructed by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry in Zhoushan and Guangdong, China. Five barges have already commenced operations at the Port of Ashburton with the final units scheduled for delivery in 2026. The two new tugs are also scheduled to be delivered in 2026.

Full propulsion package

To achieve the minimal draft required for loading the 20,000-ton barges at the port, each is powered by two Schottel PumpJets type SPJ 320. The modern shallow-water propulsion unit provides full thrust in all directions, even at minimum immersion depths.

For enhanced maneuverability, the 123 x 36 meter barges are linked to the tugs via an articulated tug and barge arrangement (ATB) – forming a transhipper. The two newbuild tugs will each be equipped with two Schottel RudderPropellers type SRP 610 and one TransverseThruster type STT 1. This propulsion package delivers high power and exceptional positioning accuracy, enabling optimal handling of the barges in the port and during loading of the bulk carriers. The remaining five tugs, including three with Schottel RudderPropellers, are existing vessels specially converted for their new operational purpose.

Schottel PropControl for maximum flexibility

Due to limited visibility from the lower-height tugs when pushing the barges, steering is managed from the wheelhouse of the barges.

Schottel developed a control concept in close collaboration with MinRes to address this challenge. The innovative system allows any tug – even those without Schottel propulsion – to be flexibly connected to any barge, ensuring uninterrupted operations during downtimes or maintenance of a tug. A logic system detects which tug is linked to the barge and automatically activates only the relevant functions on the control panel based on the thruster configuration of the respective vessel.

“MinRes commenced discussions with Schottel early in the design stage of the project,” says Jeff Weber, executive general manager at MinRes Marine. “The combination of Schottel thrusters and Schottel PropControl for the azimuthing stern drive tugs has been fundamental to the success of the transhipping operation.”

“The Onslow Iron project presented exceptional operational challenges that required tailor-made propulsion and control solutions,” says Tobias Oser, sales director, merchant, at Schottel. “Together with MinRes, a reliable setup was developed that not only meets the specific operational demands of the Onslow Iron project but also sets high standards for flexibility in transhipping operations.”

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