Wellard invests $270m in livestock ships

Livestock exporter Wellard Rural Exports and Italy-based ship-owning arm, Siba Ships, will invest $US250 million ($A270 million) on two, new, state of the art, livestock carriers.

The vessels will be built in Croatia and are scheduled to enter service in 2011.

The livestock carriers will focus on best animal welfare practices in their design and will be capable of transporting 17,000 cattle or 75,000 sheep.

Each will be 180 metres long, nine decks high and have improved ventilation and air and fodder distribution systems.

The investment adds to the previously announced US$80 million investment in two smaller livestock carriers, the first of which is due to be launched in late 2008 or early 2009.

Wellard Rural Exports Managing Director Steve Meerwald said the new vessels would provide extra shipping capacity and would raise the benchmark for on-board, animal welfare standards.

The WA Farmers Federation has welcomed the investment, saying it highlighted the importance of the live export industry to Australia.

"The live export industry employs around 12,000 people in Australia, so this investment will contribute to the sustainability of the cattle and sheep industries," WAFarmers Meat Section President, Jeff Murray, said.

Below is the announcement:

Italy-based Siba Ships, the world's leading maritime livestock transporting company, and Wellard Rural Exports have announced a US$250 million order for two, new, state of the art, livestock carriers.

The vessels will be built at the Uljanik shipyard in Croatia, which built the flagship of Siba Ships' livestock fleet, the MV Becrux in 2002. The new vessels will each carry 17,000 cattle or 75,000 sheep in comfort and security. Aimed at the thriving Australian livestock export trade, the vessels will enter service in 2011.

Siba Ships' investment in the new vessels is in addition to its previously announced US$80m investment in two smaller livestock carriers, the first of which is due to be launched in late 2008 or early 2009.

Siba Ships Chairman Mauro Balzarini said the MV Becrux was the world's first new construction large livestock carrier, and set the benchmark for animal welfare standards.

"After almost 80 successful voyages we now know that we can deliver livestock to their destinations happier, healthier and heavier than when they boarded," he said.

The two new ships will boast a similar design to the MV Becrux, with the addition of modifications to improve operating efficiency and animal welfare.

"In total we have invested over $330m in new livestock vessels. That benefits the animals, the producers, the shippers and the receivers, and we see significant and increasing demand for this standard of livestock carriage, which exceeds governmental standards and is totally focussed on animal welfare," Mr Balzarini said.

"Using these vessels we know that the animals will arrive in better condition than when they boarded, which makes both welfare and commercial good sense."

The new vessels will be 180 metres long, nine decks high and will boast stronger ventilation and better air and fodder distribution systems, higher redundancy in livestock services and will be more environmentally friendly. Built to RINA class they will have Green Star voluntary environment certification and also Green Passport.

Electronic control of the main engine will deliver significantly lower emissions than current vessels of comparable power, and they will deliver a service speed of 19.8 knots, cutting voyage time considerably.

Wellard Rural Exports is Australia's largest livestock exporter and has priority access to the two new vessels.

Wellard Rural Exports Managing Director Steve Meerwald said the new vessels would provide extra shipping capacity and would raise the benchmark again for on-board, animal welfare standards.

"Just as Australia's livestock industry relies on the live export trade, the live export industry relies on the fast, technologically advanced vessels to ensure their stock arrive at their destination fit and healthy," he said.

"These new vessels will benefit every participant throughout the live export chain. A quarter of a billion dollars isn't just a big investment in shipping tonnage, it's a big investment in the future of the Australian livestock industry."

New ship facts

Capacity: 75,000 sheep or 17,000 cattle, or a combination of both

Deck space: 2.4 hectares

Fresh water generation: 900 tonnes per day

Fodder capacity: 5000 tonnes

Minimum mechanical air changes per hour: 70

Speed: 20 knots

Length: 180 metres Height: 9 decks