New RB equipment will load rail trucks five times faster

PORTNET'S NEW wagon loading station at Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal (DBT) has topped off at 36 metres above the surrounding wharfside.
The new wagon loading station will improve rail truck loading capacities at the DBT by allowing loading rates of up to 2500 tons an hour. This is five times faster than the present loading unit and will also enable product to be fed directly from the ship to waiting trains via a new conveyor belt system. Portnet also intends building a new storage facility from which loading from the new equipment can take place.
The new wagon loading station is part of DBT's R1,2 billion capacity enhancing projects, which include a third import route, three new Caillard grab ships' unloaders, one additional ship unloader and third and fourth export route conveyor systems. In the current phase R180 million has been awarded.