World Grain - October 2015 - 58

FEATURE: SHIP LOADING/UNLOADING PROJECTS FLOURISH

(Above) An example of Bühler's Portalink system in the Philippines, developed in response to grain handlers' demands. Photo courtesy of Bühler.

primarily to increase the export capacity for soybeans grown in Brazil's
Mato Grosso state and transported to
the coast by truck and barge.
It has relieved the pressure on existing east coast ports, where frequent long
delays have restricted the expansion of
Brazil's soybean trade. Further northern
terminals are planned, with farmers expecting that these will eventually handle
over half of Brazil's soybean exports.
Siwertell, which is part of Helsinki,
Finland-based Cargotec Corp., supplied
a model ST-790M ship unloader for
the project. It met all of Bunge Brazil's
needs, and short lead time. Bunge Brazil
was aware of what it could expect from
Siwertell because it was familiar with the
Siwertell unloader in Manaus, Brazil.
The ship unloader for Bunge Brazil was
designed in Sweden and manufactured in
Sweden, Europe and China. It was then
shipped to Brazil in parts (of which some
was preassembled) for further assembly
work on a local ship yard in Belem before sending assembled main parts to the
FXVWRPHU¶V VLWH IRU ¿QDO DVVHPEO\ FRPmissioning and tests. The agreed delivery
time was 14 months on a turn-key basis.
The unloader provides discharge opera58

tions for barges delivering soybeans and
corn to the new agri-bulk export terminal
at the mouth of the Amazon River. It has a
rated unload capacity of 1,500 tph for soybeans, 1,100 tph for soy meal and 1,500 tph
for corn. Maximum barge size is 2,500 dwt.
Siwertell has received additional orders for ship unloaders from Cargill in
Santarem and ADM in Barcarena.
NORTH AMERICAN PORT EXPANSION
Bühler has received an order to upgrade an existing loading facility in
North America. The project includes a
new boom with a nominal capacity of
1,600 tph and the capability of handling
Panamax II vessels. The facility primarily handles corn and wheat.
DUST SUPPRESSION IN FRANCE
Senalia in Rouen, France, visited several installations in Romania and Russia
before selecting Neuero for upgrades
to its facility. Neuero supplied two ship
unloading systems to replace an existing
crane and clamshell. In theory, the clamshell is rated to have more unloading
capacity. However, due to actual operational conditions, the average unloading
capacity is very low. The average crane

FDSDFLW\ LV OLPLWHG WR WKH RSHUDWRU HI¿ciency, and often will result in spillage
and dust. Additionally, the operator can
cause damage to the ship and clamshell,
causing the owner more expense.
Using a continuous pneumatic ship
unloader makes it easier for the operator
to achieve a higher average unloading
HI¿FLHQF\ DQG EHFDXVH LW LV D YDFXXP
operation, there is no spillage or dust,
Neuero said.
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tph KIKO ship loader in central Europe
with dust suppression. The unloading
systems include a M300 with a capacity of 300 tph and a M500 model with a
capacity of 500 tph.
Older loading technology involved
spouts with nothing to control dust.
Some also included "jet slingers" which
generated even more dust, Neuero said.
7KH.,.2V\VWHPFRQWUROVWKHÀRZRI
grain coming out the end of the loading
chute to reduce the dust to acceptable levels. The loading chute also has a kick in,
kick out operation to be able to load the
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