The enclosed screw-type unloader will be used to discharge rock phosphate and sulphur at a rated capacity of 1,800 t/h.
 
“IFFCO wanted a totally enclosed system for both environmental and safety reasons,” said Anders Paulsson, Sales manager, Bulk handling. “The company specified a screw-type unloader for high efficiency and chose a Siwertell system from Cargotec because we have by far the most knowledge and experience of this technology – the first Siwertell system designated for sulphur was delivered in 1980. Of the four main types of continuous unloaders – screw, pneumatic, chain and bucket chain – only the Siwertell screw-type has been demonstrated to solve the three main problems caused by unloading sulphur: a high explosion risk, extreme corrosion, and stringent regulations for environmental protection.”
 
Cargotec’s Siwertell Sulphur Safety System (‘4S’) was developed to minimise the risk of explosions and detect fires. The 4S is designed to prevent sulphur dust explosions in the conveying line and to evacuate explosion pressure in case a dust explosion does occur, without causing damage to equipment and endangering the safety of operators, personnel and other facilities. To prevent explosions and fires, the Siwertell unit is equipped with nozzles that spray water at the inlet feeder and in the conveyor transfer points. An automatic lubrication system lubricates and cools down end bearings and intermediate bearings.
 
“Even with preventative technology in place, there are rare occasions on which an explosion occurs or a fire starts, so Cargotec has designed a system that reacts immediately upon detection and extinguishes any fire,” Mr Paulsson said. “Fire detectors along the conveying line automatically stop the conveyors and start spraying water from the fire extinguishing system. To manage an explosion, the conveyor’s steel casings are reinforced with extra-thick steel, and explosion-venting valves fitted along the conveyors and dust collectors relieve pressure.”
 
A specially designed conveying line with stainless steel components ensures that a Siwertell unit is protected from corrosion and it is also practically maintenance-free.
 
This is the third reference for Siwertell fertiliser unloaders in India: in 2003 a 400 t/h Siwertell 490-F was delivered to Coromandel Fertilizers for unloading fertilisers and sulphur from 40,000 dwt ships, and this was followed in 2005 by an order from Paradeep Phosphates for a 1,600 t/h Siwertell 640-D handling sulphur, phosphate and fertilisers.
 
Components for IFFCO’s system will be manufactured in Sweden and China for erection on site in Paradeep Port, Orissa, India.  With a delivery time of 12 months, the unloader is expected to be in operation by early 2013.

The “Omvac Diez” is a split hopper dredger of 1.100m3, equipped with a 500mm trailing pipe for dredging at maximum of -30m. The in-board Damen dredge pump, type BP5045, both fills the hopper during trailing as well as empties the hopper using the bow coupling unit or rainbow nozzle. The dredger has various Damen dredging instrumentation systems, such as trailing pipe position, load & draught, density & velocity and vacuum & pressure measurement.

The 67m long split hopper dredger has been designed by the Spanish naval architect Carceller. It has been built in a relatively short time span by the Nodosa yard in Pontevedra on the Galician coast, of which it was their first new building of a split hopper dredger. The successful cooperation has resulted in an efficient, well-performing vessel with a maximum loaded speed of 9.5kn.

The split hopper dredger currently works with its removable grab crane, a Liebherr-type 984, situated at top coaming level. The versatile dredger is currently doing a maintenance job, and there are many more to come.

A couple of years ago the project ran into delays as a result of planning procedures and the uncertain economic outlook. Good cooperation between all the parties involved enabled the innovative redevelopment of the plan. Work is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2012 and is set to last at least six years.

This development is an important impulse to the attractiveness of Harderwijk from a residential and recreational perspective. Businesses and industries currently situated between the old town and the Veluwerand-lake will be relocated to a new industrial area. The old industrial port area will be redeveloped to accommodate both residential, shopping and recreational facilities, on and around the waterfront. Furthermore, the boulevard will be developed into an appealing area connecting the old city centre and the Veluwerand-lake.

Boskalis will deploy wet and dry earth-moving equipment for this project. In the first quarter of 2012, Boskalis will start with the creation of the ‘Beach Island’ (Strand eiland), thereby creating the only sandy public beach of the city. At the same time, the existing marina will be relocated and a visitors’ mooring and a port for the old fleet of fishing boats will be created. The attractive boulevard connecting the old city centre, the waterfront and the nearby Dolfinarium theme park will extend all the way to a new residential area called ‘The Islands’ (De Eilanden) and ‘The Beacons’ (De Bakens) which are yet to be created.

The 273-foot-high cranes can serve a ship 24 containers wide, making them among the world’s largest. Built by Shanghai-based ZPMC, the cranes joined four others at WUT with an 18-container-wide reach.

“This wharf extension provides WUT with the additional terminal capacity we need for our two largest container cranes, and allows us to handle two container ships at the same time at our facility,” said Y I Song, head of Hyundai Merchant Marine America, Inc. “It also gives us greater capacity to handle additional business at this terminal and accommodate the industry’s largest container vessels.”

The project began in December 2009 when Port of Tacoma Commissioners approved the contract with Seattle-based Manson Construction to extend the wharf.

“This project is a great example of how we work together with our shipping lines and terminal operators to make investments that create additional capacity for our future growth,” said John Wolfe, Port of Tacoma CEO.

Subcontractors on the project included Amaya Electric, Concrete Technology, Hayward Baker, Rhine Demolition, Scarsella Brothers, Skyline Steel and Tucci & Sons. All of these subcontractors are based in Pierce County. Other companies involved in the project included Berger-ABAM, who did the engineering design and GeoEngineers, who did the geotechnical design.

Construction work for the project through August totaled more than 55,000 hours of labour. The payroll for project construction work during that same time period is estimated at about USD4 million.

“Especially in these challenging economic times, our Port is pleased to have a project like this that helps create construction jobs and business opportunities throughout our region,” said Wolfe.