Wellard’s M/V Ocean Shearer.

LIVE sheep and cattle exporter Wellard Limited has received interim certification for the vessel M/V Ocean Shearer — the world’s largest purpose-built livestock carrier.

Wellard told the Australian Stock Exchange the purpose-designed and built vessel has successfully passed inspection by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and been granted its Interim Australian Certificate for the carriage of livestock. The receipt of the interim certificate immediately approves the vessel to transport Australian livestock.

The M/V Ocean Shearer is the latest addition to the Wellard fleet and supplanted its sister ship, the M/V Ocean Drover as the world’s largest purpose-built livestock carrier. The M/V Ocean Shearer was officially handed to Wellard on April 28 2016 and has been operating out of South America, as part of Wellard’s sourcing diversification strategy.

Wellard chief executive officer Mauro Balzarini said the M/V Ocean Shearer had exceeded all of its performance benchmarks in its first months of operations and its stronger ventilation, higher fresh water production, and other enhancements of livestock services had improved animal welfare and voyage outcomes.

“The inclusion of the M/V Ocean Shearer into our fleet also ensures we continue to operate one of the youngest livestock fleets in the world and one of the largest Australian Maritime Safety Authority-approved fleets in the live export sector,” Mr Balzarini said.

The M/V Ocean Shearer has a 23,500 square metre carrying capacity and depending on individual weight, can transport 20,000 cattle or 75,000 sheep, or a combination of both, on a single voyage. It has a fuel range of about 18,000 miles and can cruise at one the highest speeds in the industry, enabling fast voyage completion and therefore more voyages per year. Wellard said it is customary for an interim certificate to be issued before the AMSA central office issues a final certificate.

Source: Wellard Ltd.