24 SEPTEMBER 2026
The MV Baltazar may be one of the more unusual-looking vessels to be chartered by South32, but it is also one of the most state-of-the-art.
Staff from South32 attended a ceremony at Fremantle Passenger Terminal recently where the ship was officially named by the Hon Rita Saffioti, Deputy Premier of Western Australia.
The 228m-long Baltazar is the latest in Klaveness Combination Carriers’ (KCC) fleet of caustic bulkers. It will service our Worsley Alumina refinery in south-west Western Australia, delivering caustic soda and has the ability to carry alumina on the return voyage.
It arrived in Fremantle on its maiden voyage from a shipyard in China, and it drew inquisitive glances thanks to two 27m-high eSAILs attached near its bow.
These rigid units use suction sail technology, a system of internal fans and aerodynamic surfaces which captures wind energy to generate lift and up to seven times more thrust than conventional rigid sails of the same size.
The vessel also benefits from an air lubrication system, which injects a continuous layer of microbubbles under its hull, reducing frictional drag and also easing the load on the engines.
As a result of energy-efficient technologies, and trading efficiency, the Baltazar is expected to deliver 35% lower carbon emissions per ton transported compared with conventional tanker and dry bulk vessels operating in trades to Australia.
A video explaining how suction sails work can be found here.
Emissions-linked freight
We support the International Maritime Organization’s goal to achieve net zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. We engage with freight providers, customers and suppliers through industry collaboration, transparency initiatives and commercial mechanisms that incentivise improved emissions performance.
South32 has partnered with KCC since FY22 to apply a Carbon Adjustment Factor (CAF) to selected freight contracts. This provides a financial incentive for improved emissions performance, and associated revenues are intended to support vessel efficiency improvements.
In 2025, 12 of 16 KCC voyages performed below their agreed emissions baselines, with overall emissions approximately 4% lower than target.
Sze Chiang Chng, South32’s Lead Chartering, travelled from our Marketing office in Singapore to attend the naming ceremony.
“In 2021, South32 was keen to influence change in decarbonisation, and we were looking for a trusted partner who had the same mindset,” he said.
“Within our supply chain, it was obvious that KCC was a critically important long-term partner that had the expertise and desire to develop the CAF mechanism. It was a perfect opportunity when KCC approached us with a solution that met what we were looking for.
“It has been a fantastic and informative journey on this partnership. Through this collaboration, we have been able to drive conversations towards decarbonisation, both inside and outside the organisation. We now have more data and knowledge on the emissions footprint of our supply chain – where we have done well, and where we can do better.”
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