World Grain - October 2021 - 30

FEATURE: SHIP LOADER, UNLOADER SUPPLIERS WORK THROUGH PANDEMIC
Aside from the impacts of COVID-19, environmental
regulations and sustainability of the grain handling system
continue to be major issues for the industry. The demand
for new, state-of-the-art equipment is steady, one
supplier said, but they've also had projects that involve
refurbishment of existing equipment and facilities.
" We are constantly working to improve operating efficiency,
reduce power consumption and deliver components
with longer service life and lower maintenance
requirements, " one supplier said. " Environmental aspects
and sustainability are top priorities that must be
considered and improved on a daily basis. "
Port and terminal operators are demanding larger capacity
unloaders with effective reach to unload large
vessels and flexible unloading booms that reach down
and under vessel hatches.
" New ship unloaders need to be energy efficient, enclosed
with no spillages that contaminate the waters
and environment, " a supplier said.
In terms of new technology, suppliers said for loaders
and unloaders they are working to better integrate
sensors and software to perform main operations in automatic
mode.
Areas experiencing some of the strongest growth include
North America, Europe, the Black Sea, Canada
and Southeast Asia, where several new dry bulk terminals
were constructed over the last five years. Facilities
in Southeast Asia are multi-purpose and not directly attached
to a dedicated processing plant. In other parts of
the world, the largest demand for handling is coming
from wheat, corn, soybean meal and soybeans.
" Port operators and some independent facilities have
identified the need to improve efficiency, consider environmental
penalties and find solution upgrades that
accept larger-size vessels, " one supplier said.
At the same time, the pandemic has made it unpredictable
to know where demand will be stronger, another said.
" As a company, our philosophy is to be present
worldwide and swift in tackling demand wherever it
arises, " they said.
Operators are concerned about soaring shipping
costs, goods shortages and inflation, another supplier
said. The impact of COVID-19 has ignited rising inflation
and a worldwide shipping crisis.
In response, the supplier said he recommends allowing
adequate time and planning for upcoming projects
and procurements.
New bulk terminal in Mexico
Puertos Especializados Transnacionales (PETRA), a
subsidiary of Grupo Gramosa, recently completed a
new agri-bulk terminal in Veracruz, Mexico. The facility
has the capacity to unload 25,000 tonnes per day
and 10 storage silos with a total capacity of 126,000
tonnes. In addition, a flat cellar has a capacity of 13,000
tonnes for bulk and semi-processed products. The terminal
has direct connectivity with two railroads.
From the beginning, the import facility was able to
offer quality grain handling and environmental protection
capabilities.
Gramose chose Bruks Siwertell to provide screwtype
conveying technology for the terminal because it
outperformed other systems during a four-month selection
process. Originally ordered in 2018 and delivered
fully assembled in 2019, the terminal is now complete
and its ship unloader has been brought online.
Analysis showed that a single Bruks Siwertell ST
640-M ship unloader would be an economical solution
in the long run. It delivered the same amount of total
capacity, and the operating costs were lower compared
to two pneumatic unloaders. The Bruks Siwertell unloader
also offered cost savings from reduced berth occupancy
as through-ship efficiency was greater. Quality
of grain shipments also was considered.
The screw-type conveyor offers steady conveying
velocities, with minimal particle collisions within the
conveyor, keeping material degradation to a minimum.
" The Bruks Siwertell unloader was selected after
comparing many features such as operating principles
and mechanisms, investment costs, as well as operating
costs, " said Per Wahlström, contract manager,
Bruks Siwertell.
The rail-mounted Bruks Siwertell unloader is totally
enclosed, ensuring a spillage and dust-free operation. It
has a continuous rated capacity of 1,200 tph and a peak
of 1,320 tph, discharging vessels up to 80,000 dwt.
Bruks Siwertell completed a new bulk unloader for
Puertos Especializados Transnacionales (PETRA) in
Veracruz, Mexico.
30
October 2021 / World Grain / World-Grain.com
Photo courtesy of Siwertell
http://www.World-Grain.com
World Grain - October 2021

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