thyssenkrupp partners with National Ports on new super shallow draft bulk carrier

–  Revolutionary bulk carrier will open up shallow ports worldwide

–  New system offers mining operators significant efficiency improvements including faster materials handling at lower cost and reduced environmental risk

thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, a leading partner for the engineering, construction and service of industrial plants and systems, has entered into a partnership with National Ports, an Australian based developer and operator of large-scale floating port solutions, to make the operation of bulk carriers and materials handling equipment more efficient and environmentally friendly in shallow water ports around the world. The cooperation is aimed at further developing and rolling out a new technology, the super shallow draft bulk carrier. This self-propelled vessel will open shallow draft ports to far greater tonnages with no dredging and very limited capital expenditure.

Marco Lucido, Managing Director at National Ports: “Our new solution will open up access to shallow loading and destination ports worldwide including those affected by large tides. The system will not only be able to significantly increase cargo throughput for existing mining companies with limited draft, it can also help to make new mining companies economically viable.”

The majority of global import and export ports for bulk material are geographically remote and not sufficiently dredged to handle modern bulk carriers. Such bulk carriers with a deadweight of 180,000 tons usually require a draft of around 19 meters including clearance under the keel. Most ports have a draft of only 14 meters or even less. At the same time, dredging is very expensive and costs increase exponentially when dredging of hard materials is required, not forgetting its negative impacts on the marine environment.

With the new super shallow draft bulk carrier, thyssenkrupp and National Ports offer mining companies and port operators around the world a fast and efficient bulk material handling solution for shallow water ports. With up to 185,000 tons deadweight capacity on a 14 meter draft, the new system will be able to transit ports with limited water depth. It will be capable of self-unloading its cargo at a rate of up to 10,000 tons per hour into bulk carriers of any size (including the Valemax with a 400,000 deadweight ton capacity) or directly at the destination port in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. The new bulk carrier can be loaded from any ocean going vessel or directly from the land side via shore conveyors, thus limiting capital expenditure for new port infrastructure. Mine and port operators can charter the system on a per ton basis.