New ship unloader more than doubles discharge rate

TERRY HUTSON PROJECT CARGOES are not uncommon at either Durban or Richards Bay but in most cases the specialised cargoes, which usually fall into the heavylift category, are destined for places outside the port. Not so this particular 2 500 freight ton piece of equipment, which arrived on board the vessel Cheyenne in the past week. The structure, a giant Buhler Portlink 800/8RK ship unloader which arrived from Jebel Ali, is to be installed at South African Bulk Terminals on Maydon Wharf 5. Logistics for the complete move from manufacturer in the UAE to site in Durban was handled by the projects division of Safcor Panalpina Durban, a sister company within the Bidvest Group. Natro Transport provided the multi axle trailers necessary for the short trip from ship’s side to the laydown area at Maydon Wharf 5. Commissioning of the new unloader is planned to take two to three months. The new machine will have a discharge rate of 800 tons an hour compared with 300 tons an hour for the terminal’s existing unloader. The latter machine will however remain in service and by working in tandem the two machines will be able to boost discharge rates to 20 000 tons a day compared with 5 000 – 6 000 at present. The acquisition by SA Bulk Terminals forms part of a R100 million expansion and upgrade programme for Bidfreight Port Operations in Durban harbour.