In Mexico, Hutchison Ports Timsa is to buy 200 rotainers, costing $2.6 million, and two revolver spreaders to enable its facilities to handle boxes containing dry bulk shipments. This new equipment will be deployed in the Port of Manzanillo, where the company will have a total of 340 rotainers and four revolvers spreaders. These, it is stressed, will make current operations more productive and result in faster vessel turnaround times.
In a press release, the company stressed that this is a viable alternative to traditional belt loading systems, as it increases the productivity of operations involving the handling of mineral bulk cargo, since vessel are required to spend less time alongside the quay, with up to three mineral bulk vessels being attended to simultaneously.
Each of the rotainers can hold up to 36 tonnes of dry bulk and accommodate commodities with a density range of up to 9.1 tonnes/m3. This means that copper, zinc, lead and iron concentrates can be
conveyed, as well as iron ore in pellet form, among others. They are also hermetically sealed, making transport safer.
As for the spreader, it can rotate each of the containers through 360° if required to do so.
HPS says that this system is environmentally friendly, since it prevents dust emissions from escaping into the air during handling operations and also prevents dust egress during the movement from warehouse to port.
Source: Barry Cross