Articulated skip trial improving efficiencies at Maydon Wharf Terminal
A trial to use articulated skips instead of traditional skips in the chrome loading operation at the Maydon Wharf Terminal, in KwaZulu-Natal, has set an efficiency record of more than 50%, increasing the loading rate from an average of 140 t/h per vessel crane to 350 t/y per vessel crane, Transnet and Samancor Chrome highlight in a joint statement.
The Maydon Wharf Terminal is one of 16 sea-cargo terminals managed by Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), the operating division of Transnet.
The pilot is in partnership with customer Samancor Chrome and its extended partner Bidfreight Port Operations (BPO) and Steinweg.
Vessel turnaround time also improved by over 40%, with the vessel completing the loading of 20 000 t of chrome in three-and-a-half days.
The automation in the articulated skips also improved crane swing times from a maximum of eight to 3.5 minutes.
This Maydon Wharf trial will be extended to other bulk handling terminals across the country, with potential full rollout, if successful.
The process enhances safety, improves productivity and is cost effective in the long term, the entities posit.
Terminal manager Sihle Mpungose commended the team for the successful pilot after vessel MW Observator set sail, ferrying South Africa’s export chrome to China.
“Samancor Chrome, on behalf of the industry, is grateful to its partners, BPO and Steinweg, for their willingness to invest in this trial including Transnet and TPT Maydon Wharf, in particular, for supporting the trial.
“This is the first piece of new equipment (articulated skip) that has been introduced since the original skip loading operation, which was first introduced in the late 1970s.
“If partnered correctly between TPT (Maydon Wharf and Richards Bay) and industry, this could be a game changer for all neo-bulk exports out of South Africa,” says Samancor Logistics and Exports group manager Lawrence Pillay.
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