The “Ocean Shearer” Arrives in Cádiz, the Largest Livestock Carrier in the World

The “Ocean Shearer,” the largest floating livestock carrier in the world, is docked at the Las Cabezuelas wharf in the port of Cádiz after making a stop at the Gibraltar anchorage. It is owned by the Australian company Wellard Ltd. and is newly launched, having been delivered at the end of April after its construction at the Cosco shipyard in Dalian, China. The final cost is around 90 million dollars.

It has a surface area of 23,500 square meters for transporting 20,000 head of cattle or 75,000 head of sheep or a combination of both on each trip. It features a forage storage system of nearly three thousand tons, as well as the latest advancements in ventilation, a production of 800 tons of fresh water, and other improvements for maritime livestock transport.

It is a vessel of 36,028 gross tons, with a total length of 189.30 m, a beam of 31 m, and a draft of 8.85 m. It has nine decks and the superstructure at the bow. It is powered by two MAN B&W engines, allowing it to maintain a speed of 18 knots, considered among the highest for this type of vessel. Its fuel capacity allows for a range of 18,000 nautical miles. IMO Code 9509931.

The vessel 'Ocean Shearer' during its anchorage in Gibraltar

Photos: Rafael Ponce and Daniel Ferro