NEWS PORTS & TERMINALS
Bamin iron ore exports cranking up In Brazil, the Bamin iron ore export operation from Mina Pedra de Ferro, in Caetité, Bahia, is cranking up its production. Consignments bound for Europe and Asia commenced in January and the company estimates that it will manage at least 11 shipments by the end of the year, which should total in the region of 490,000 tonnes. As for destinations, one recent consignment sent at the end of July went to Germany via Rotterdam and another is planned by the end of August. From the Caetité mine, the iron ore is transported by road to Licínio de Almeida Terminal, where it switches to block trains operated by Centro-Atlântica Railway
(FCA), which run through to Terminal Petim, in the municipality of Castro Alves. There, another intermodal transfer takes place, this time from rail to road, with HGVs continuing to Enseada Terminal, some 100km distant. The whole logistics operation is undertaken by VLI, which also operates the rail link. Currently, transshipment takes place on FCA premises, but a new dedicated terminal is being built at Castro Alves, close to the station at Petim. Bamin is shipping premium grade DSO 65 ore. Given its low level of contaminants, there are fewer CO2 emissions during steel making. Because of the high quality, no water is needed either, so energy burnt
during processing is sensibly reduced. In the coming years, the whole logistics chain will be revamped, with BAMIN switching to the under construction EastWest Integrated Railway (FIOL). A 537km line will initially link Caetité and Ilhéus, with BAMIN acquiring the rights to this infrastructure via a stock exchange auction in April. Investment will be in the order of $627 million. There will also eventually be a dedicated maritime outlet, the so-called Porto Sul (South Port), which is under construction in Ilhéus. Within five years, this is expected to have sufficient capacity to handle 42 million tonnes of export iron ore annually. Barry Cross
Azov-Black Sea Basin dry bulk traffic on the increase Forecasts suggest rising volumes of dry bulk will be handled by ports in the Azov-Black Sea Basin at least until 2035. Ores are expected to grow 2.2 times from 5.5mt (million tonnes) to 12mt, as Russia switches output away from Ukraine ports and producers benefit from rising steel production. However, 12mt is the most conservative forecast; others suggest it could reach 19mt. Even at a time of when coal consumption is being cut in the west, the Basin is expected to see growth of 36% by 2035, with increased demand from India and Turkey. Nevertheless, as of 2025, coal production could be cut in line with policy changes away from coal in China. In the same period, mineral and chemical fertilizer is predicted to grow 2.3 times, from 3.5mt to 8mt thanks to low cost of production and implementation of projects to expand handling facilities. All might not go according to plan, however. Worries remain regarding the capacity of rail to move consignments to ports, while the number of ports being developed through public-private partnership is not of a level to give the market confidence at present. BC
AUGUST 2021
www.drycargomag.com
Gangavaram sets possible world record in bauxite handling
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India’s most recently constructed maritime outlet, Gangavaram Port, which also has the deepest draught, recently posted yet a further record. In a 24-hour period, it discharged 125,380 tonnes of bauxite from the Berge Apo using its mechanical unloading system. There are suggestions that this may even be a global record for discharging bauxite. Vedanta Limited, which imported the consignment, said it was impressed by the levels of productivity achieved by port staff. The port has also been breaking records in terms of loading other minerals. To do this, it changed its loading pattern, combining mobile harbour cranes with ship
loader operation when working the Night Sky. Commenting on the feat, Gangavaram Port management noted, “We are extremely delighted at this dual achievement by our team. The record discharge rate yet again reaffirms our
superior port infrastructure and operational efficiency. Gangavaram Port offers substantial economic benefits to Indian importers in terms of reduced ocean freight, highly efficient operations, advanced material handling and evacuation system, vast storage areas for all types of cargo, extensive ancillary facilities, and faster turnaround time and delivery.” In addition to being India’s leading port for Capesize vessels, Gangavaram Port has handled a broad spectrum of cargo including coking/non-coking coal, iron ore, fertilizer, agribulk, project cargo, and industrial raw materials such as alumina and bauxite. BC
