Stacker, Shiploader, Hopper, Bucket Wheel Reclaimer Manufacturer
Ship loading equipment capacity for bulk materials depends on the type of equipment, the port infrastructure, and the nature of the cargo being loaded (e.g., coal, grain, iron ore).
Ship loading equipment capacity for bulk materials depends on the type of equipment, the port infrastructure, and the nature of the cargo being loaded (e.g., coal, grain, iron ore). Below is an overview of common equipment used for loading bulk carriers and their typical capacities, expressed in tons per hour (tph):
Description: These are large, stationary or mobile ship loader machines with extendable booms that transfer material from shore stockpiles or conveyor systems into ship holds. Often used in modern bulk terminals.
Major ports like Rotterdam or Richards Bay (South Africa) use shiploaders capable of 10,000–16,000 tph for coal or iron ore.
Capacity depends on conveyor belt speed (typically 2–6 m/s), belt width (1–2.5 meters), and material density.
Mobile harbor cranes or gantry cranes equipped with grab buckets scoop material from stockpiles or barges and deposit it into holds. Common in ports with less automation.
Limited by crane cycle time (load, swing, unload), grab size (10–50 tons), and operator efficiency.
Used in some specialized terminals (e.g., grain silos), these systems lift material vertically before transferring it to a shiploader or spout.
500–4,000 tph, depending on bucket size and motor power.
Best for lighter, free-flowing materials like grains; less common for dense ores.
These use air pressure to blow fine, powdery materials (e.g., cement, fly ash) into holds via hoses or pipes.
100–1,000 tph, typically lower than mechanical systems.
Suited for dust-sensitive cargoes; capacity scales with pump power and pipe diameter.
Simple gravity-fed systems often paired with silos or conveyors, directing material into holds.
1,000–5,000 tph, depending on chute size and flow control.
Limited by material flow rate and the need to avoid blockages.
For a 100,000 DWT Panamax ship, a mid-range shiploader at 5,000 tph could load it in roughly 20 hours, assuming continuous operation and no delays. In contrast, a grab crane at 1,000 tph would take 100 hours—over 4 days—highlighting why high-capacity equipment is critical for larger vessels.
If you need details on a specific port, shiploader model, or cargo, I can dig deeper—let me know!
