Environmental benefits and machine efficiency are two of the key
reasons why one of the world’s largest alumina producers,
Alunorte, opted for a Siwertell alumina shiploader from Cargotec.
Planned to come into operation at the end of this year is a
newly-designed Siwertell alumina ship loader from Cargotec.  It is
designed to load Kamsarmax-type vessels up to 80,000dwt and is
destined for a production plant in Barcarena, Para, which is
located in Northeast Brazil.
   The plant is owned by one of the world’s largest alumina
producers, Alunorte.  From an annual production of 1.6mt
(million tonnes) of alumina in 2000, by 2006, Alunorte’s yearly
output had increased to 4.2mt and its latest planned expansion
will increase this figure to around 6.3mt per year.
Cargotec was contracted to replace the company’s existing
belt-type shiploader, which needs to be changed because of
problems related to high dust emissions.  “Cargotec’s new
Siwertell shiploader is built on a different design concept, than
the old existing loader,” explains Douglas Wichers, sales manager
for bulk terminals.  “The new design is based on a totally-
enclosed air slide system and a Cleveland cascade-type vertical
telescopic loading spout. In combination with two dust collectors
at the transfer points, this will be a very efficient loading system
when it comes to the elimination of dust emissions into the
environment.”
   The loader is based on a travelling gantry design with one
horizontal arm capable of slewing and luffing motions and is fitted
with a vertically adjustable loading spout.  The operator cabin is
located on a cabin arm extended out over the ship’s hold.  This
allows the operator to have a perfect view over the loading
operation.
   The designed loading capacity of the new alumina shiploader
is 2,500tph (tonnes per hour), but due to the feeding capacity —
from land-side tube conveyors — this is reduced to about
2,000tph.  “The loader can obviously not process more than the
incoming material flow,” Wichers notes.  “If Alunorte decides to
increase the tube conveyor’s capacity, then the Siwertell loader is
already prepared for such an increase.”
   Alunorte was founded through an agreement between the
Japanese and Brazilian Governments.  Its ownership comprises:
57% AluVale; 34% Norsk Hydro; and the remaining shares are
divided between Mitsui, Mitsubishi, and Nippon Aluminium.
Cargotec improves the efficiency of cargo flows by offering
solutions for the loading and unloading of goods on land and at
sea — wherever cargo is on the move.  Cargotec’s main
subsidiary brands for cargo handling Hiab, Kalmar and
MacGregor are global market leaders in their fields.  Cargotec’s
global network offers extensive services that ensure the
continuous, reliable and sustainable performance of equipment.
MacGregor is the global market-leading brand in marine cargo
handling and offshore load-handling solutions.  Customer-driven
MacGregor engineering and service solutions for the maritime
transportation industry, and the offshore load-handling and naval
logistics markets are used onboard merchant ships, offshore
support vessels, and in ports and terminals.