Designing shiploading systems is never easy, especially when it comes to finding the best possible solution for a particular operation. Quite often, port terminals are forced to implement a specific solution due to pre-existing conditions — such as the availability of space, existing and planned infrastructure — as well as prevailing financial restrictions. A well thought-through system can be quite expensive, especially if existing infrastructure requires heavy alterations.
A few limitations are set by the location and the water depth at the dock. Each method of shiploading, whether it be via a portal crane or a shiploader, requires different infrastructure to support an uninterrupted loading procedure. This can be broken down even further and a number of examples can be given. For example, for a portal crane loading with a grab, bulk material needs to be supplied directly to the vicinity of the crane for it to be able to grab it without relocation and unload the material into the ship. This is often achieved by running a railroad directly underneath the crane or next to it, or by stockpiling the material along the crane’s path. For a shiploader the situation is similar, but here the material is usually delivered directly to the shiploader via a conveyor system, or a nearby feeding system is put in place to feed the material directly from a truck to the shiploader. To quickly summarize, all systems have one and only task to accomplish and that is loading the material into the ship, the only difference is how.
Customized shiploaders (and above) ensure that NKT’s clients receive the best system for their operations.
NK TEHNOLOGIJA (NKT) specializes in delivering custom engineering solutions for the dry bulk material handling industry. In its arsenal, it has a number of develop ments; the most sought-after among these are its stationary and mobile shiploaders and its PELIKAN cranes.
SHIPLOADERS
Over the many years of operating in the industry, NKT has delivered stationary and mobile shiploaders of varying bulk handling capacities. All of these are individually designed to ensure that they are the best fit for the client. NKT always prioritizes providing the client with a product that will give evident value and a clear return on investment.
NKT has experience designing and engineering shiploaders for hazardous and standard conditions, of varying weights and sizes. NKT has also carried out modernizations of earlier equipment to switch to a different material class and increase throughput.
A shiploader is just what a port terminal needs for an uninterrupted flow of material, enabling higher material throughput rates, and a higher degree of automatization providing a clear and predictable loading procedure.
NKT’s PELIKAN crane has a movable counterweight, dramatically improving its reach without compromising performance.
PELIKAN CRANE
Furthermore, after acquiring the rights to manufacture and sell a long time product of Ardelt, NKT has added the new and improved PELIKAN crane to its shiploading family of products. It is a quick, efficient and high performing crane with a movable counterweight, which enables the crane to reach even further, whilst maintaining the handling capacity. On top of that, the PELIKAN crane provides exceptional working conditions, as the cabin is equipped with an ergonomic operator chair, clear crane controls, panoramic views and an air-conditioned workspace, all for the well-being of the most important piece of the crane — the crane operator. Moreover, stepping away from shiploading, portal cranes still to this day are considered to be one of if not the best ship-unloading solutions, which makes it one of the most cost-effective investments given the physical space it occupies.
Schematic depicting the area of operation of the PELIKAN crane
