Gangavaram sets possible world record in bauxite handling

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 implemen tation 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

Gangavaram sets possible world record in bauxite handling

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

Container traffic is proving to be highly variable and costs are increasing considerably. It is time for the industry to consider the possibility of using maritime alternatives, such as general cargo vessels or general cargo combined with containers. The Port of Tarragona in Spain is already a benchmark in agri-food traffic in the Spanish and Mediterranean port system. The Catalan port handles an average of 5mt (million tonnes) of agri-food products a year. This volume places it among the most important Spanish and European ports in this sector and positions it as a benchmark in the Mediterranean basin.

The port is now reacting to the turbulent situation in the container market. Its facilities are ideal for handling general cargo, or general cargo combined with containers.

Tarragona Port’s strong points include: v Infrastructures: o A terminal specializing in paper pulp; o Specific equipment for paper pulp and reels (cranes and spreaders); o 16m draught; o 45,000m2 covered zone; and o dockside and rail-side facilities. v Positioning and role with respect to

the hinterland:

o Gateway and transshipment activity to serve other Mediterranean countries via feeder services at highly competitive prices; o Extensive hinterland on the Iberian Peninsula and France thanks to the rail service option with regular block train services; and o Ease of having mixed gauge tracks to the dockside (no double cargo handling required).

v New opportunities: o Mediterranean Corridor (European gauge) to facilitate connections with Europe, to be achieved from 2023 when the international connection reaches the Port of Tarragona. o The current situation of the container sector (market volatility and difficulty in finding equipment) makes the option of bulk ships (and bulk trains) through freight consolidation centres such as Euroports a perfectly valid option.

Port Corpus Christi is the fifth-largest port in the United States in total tonnage.

The port provides a straight, 45’ deep channel (approved and authorized for 52ft.) and quick access to the Gulf of Mexico and the entire United States inland waterway system. The port delivers outstanding access to overland transportation, with on-site and direct connections to three Class I railroads, BNSF, KCS, and UP, and direct, vessel-to-rail discharge capabilities. The Nueces River Rail Yard provides eight tracks for storage of unit trains up to 8,500 feet long. Strategically located on 200 acres with highway connectivity and direct access to rail and deep water, the port’s bulk terminal is capable of handling all logistics for dry bulk cargoes throughout the South West and Mexico.

The Bulk Terminal sits on the north side of the Inner Channel. The port has a new Liebherr LHM 550 rail-mounted crane with a maximum outreach of 48 metres, 144tonne maximum capacity, and maximum free digging unloading rate of 1,500tph (tonnes per hour) with continuous unloading. For loading and unloading dry bulk commodities directly to rail, truck or ground unloading rate may vary.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS INCLUDE: v BNSF, KSC and UP service; v 110 acres of open storage and 300,000ft2 covered storage; v bagging facility; v multiple general cargo docks with direct

to rail discharge; v Ro/Ro Ramp; v FTZ #122; v direct access to I-37 and I-69 highways; and v direct access to Intracoastal Waterway

System.

BULK TERMINAL The Bulk Terminal, docks #1 and #2 are used to discharge and/or load petroleum coke, coal, bayrite and other dry bulk commodities directly to/from vessels (including Panamax class ships), railcars and trucks. The loading belt speed at the shiploader is 1,500tph and the unloading gantry crane can handle 600tph. The Bulk Terminal is serviced by the BNSF, KCS, and UP Class I railroads. Within 15 minutes and via the Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor trucks can access Interstate 37.

GRAIN ELEVATOR A Port Corpus Christi facility managed by ADM/Growmark River Systems Inc, the grain elevator is located on the Inner Harbor. The facility is used for shipments of grain, food, and farm products, and features a high storage capacity and excellent rail and highway connections.

First two mobile harbour cranes arrive at the TIPSP terminal

rapid progress under way

Developments at the port of San Pedro in the Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) are moving apace. In early August, two Liebherr LHM-550 mobile harbour cranes were unloaded from the Combi Dock 1 vessel, directly at the new quay of the Terminal Industriel Polyvalent de San Pedro (TIPSP). The brand new, state-of-the-art port handling cranes were accompanied by other port equipment including the Verstegen grabs, some of them specially designed for handling nickel ore.

The cranes with a reach of 54 metres and a lifting capacity of up to 154 tonnes are suitable for handling bulk products and will be used to load and unload NewPanamax vessels, which will benefit from a 15m draught at the quay.

TIPSP is the result of a public-private partnership that promotes the development of a logistics infrastructure essential to the economic growth of the Western Region. With the support of leading investors Arise Ports & Logistics and S. Energie, the Port of San Pedro will now have a new infrastructure to deliver service, quality and productivity at the highest international standards.

The commissioning of the first phase of TIPSP development, scheduled by the end of the year, will allow the handling of various solid and liquid bulk cargoes such as ores (manganese, nickel, lithium), cement products, products tankers, fertilizers, etc.

The construction of TIPSP, started in June 2019, is one of the first projects implemented as part of the programme to extend and modernize the port of San Pedro, itself in perfect coherence with the governmental vision of a prosperous nation based on a dynamic economy generating robust and inclusive growth. DCi