Groundbreaking Fleet of 3000 DWT Hopper Barges
May 9, 2025
On May 7, 2025, the first in a groundbreaking fleet of 3,000-tonne deadweight hopper barges, designed by Robert Allan Ltd., was officially launched at Juruá Shipyard in Manaus, Brazil. The event marked a major milestone in LHG Mining’s ambitious river transportation initiative in South America.
This inaugural barge is part of a 400-unit fleet commissioned by LHG Mining to enable the efficient, sustainable transport of high-grade iron ore from Corumbá, Brazil, to export terminals in Uruguay. The cargo will travel over 2,500 kilometers along the Paraná–Paraguay Waterway, a vital inland corridor connecting Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay to the Atlantic Ocean.
A total of four shipyards across Brazil have been contracted to construct the fleet, each tasked with delivering on the scale and complexity of this transformative project. The successful launch at Juruá Shipyard represents a significant first step, and we extend our sincere congratulations to both Juruá and LHG Mining. We wish them, and all participating shipyards, the very best as they take on this remarkable challenge to reshape inland logistics in South America.
Each convoy is comprised of 16 barges (8 rake and 8 box barges) pushed by a high-powered inland RApide pushboat, also designed by Robert Allan Ltd. Each convoy will transport over 50,000 deadweight tonnes of iron ore, matching the capacity of a typical Supramax ore carrier.
The launch event brought together representatives from LHG Mining, Robert Allan Ltd., equipment suppliers, and local authorities, celebrating the start of a bold new chapter in regional logistics.
Principal particulars of the hopper barges:
Rake barge
- Length overall: 61 metres (excluding fenders)
- Breadth, moulded: 15 metres
- Depth, moulded: 4.27 metres
- Maximum draft: 3.96 metres
- Deadweight at maximum draft: nominally 3100 DWT
Box barge
- Length overall: 61 metres (excluding fenders)
- Breadth, moulded: 15 metres
- Depth, moulded: 4.27 metres
- Maximum draft: 3.96 metres
- Deadweight at maximum draft: nominally 3200 DWT
For more information on hopper barge design, any of the RApide pushboats, or on any other vessel designs developed by Robert Allan Ltd., please contact us at design@ral.ca.
