Mexico’s state-controlled salt exporter Exportadora de Sal SA de CV (ESSA) has ordered a new ship-type from Chinese shipbuilder Nantong Rainbow.

The newbuid is a shallow-draft 15,000 dwt ABS-classed vessel incorporating unique design features focusing on environmental-friendliness.

The shallow draft self-unloading vessel-type will replace part of ESSA’s existing tug-barge fleet to shuttle salt from its Guerrero Negro production facility to the Cedros Island export terminal off Baja California.

The vessel was contracted by Corretaje Maritimo Sud American Ltd through a public tender earlier this year and will be delivered in the first half of 2016, ESSA said.

The move forms part of ESSA’s on-going programme to upgrade and modernise its fleet, in line with recent advances in environmental technology and economic imperatives.

ESSA’s export facility is situated in one of Mexico’s most ecologically-sensitive national reserves. The Guerrero Negro region is located within the Great Biosphere Reserve of El Vizcaino, managed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas and with a total of 2,546,790 hectares it is the largest protected area of the country and one of the largest in Latin America.

The reserve is part of the UNESCO International Network of Man and Biosphere Programme and the Oje de Liebre Lagoon, is the principal whale reproduction and mating ground on the Pacific coast.

“ ESSA takes its responsibility to guard its protection very seriously and this commitment is the driving factor behind the decision to invest in this ambitious newbuild programme. This advanced eco-vessel type will further reduce the impact of operations and help safeguard the delicate eco-system of the Guerrero Negro area while still supporting ESSA’s business activities, which are key to the economic development of the local community,” commented Mr. Daniel Couttolenc, Director of Operations, ESSA.

The open-hold twin-belt self-unloading vessel will benefit from twin diesel-electric-driven azimuth thrusters and bow thruster and has the highest ABS environmental class notation +A1, E, +AMS, +ACCU, POT +AT(BS+4.0), CPS, FL(25), RES, SLAM-B, ENVIRO+, UWILD, MLC-ACCOM.