Ports & Terminals
Shipping loads more New conveyor architecture helps Alaska coal terminal reduce dust, while
increasing throughput
The Port of Seward has completed a conveyor system upgrade for its coal handling operations that has raised throughput by an estimated 20%, allowing Alaska’s largest coal producer to better compete for international customers. By installing the new EVO Conveyor Load Zone from Martin Engineering, the terminal has increased the average load rate for the entire ship loading process from 700 mt/h to 858 mt/h.
With throughput increased, ship loading times are being reduced, driving down costs and making the exported coal more affordable to overseas buyers. “Basically, we should be able to knock one day off our loading time for each ship,” observed Steve Denton, VP of Business Development for Usibelli Coal Mines.
The terminal has progressed from an absolute maximum of 18,000 mt/d with dry coal and optimal loading conditions to more than 20,000 mt/d on average -- including operations in poor weather and less than ideal operating conditions. “Over the course of a million tonnes per year, that’s a major savings for our customers, as they’ll be able to enjoy better FOB (Freight On Board) prices. We also save on the cost of ship demurrage, which helps pay for the cost of the conveyor investment,” Denton said.
Port a critical link
Since 1985, the Port of Seward has shipped over 16 million mt of coal, all of it originating at the Usibelli Coal Mine 400 miles to the north, which currently exports more than 45% of its annual production. UCM and its affiliate Aurora Energy Services, LLC (operator of the Seward coal terminal) have no doubt that the port
ABOVE: With its slide-in/slide-out cradles and external wear liner, the EVO Conveyor Architecture simplifies maintenance
plays a key role in their future. With one of Alaska’s few year- round ice-free harbours, Seward has the ship-loading resources to feed the expanding international export market. It’s also the southern terminus of the state-owned Alaska Railroad, with terminal facilities owned by the railroad and operated by AES. A major obstacle to expansion was the port facility’s aging infrastructure, which had seen few improvements prior to 1999. Upgrades began that year when Alaska Railroad purchased the terminal, but despite best efforts, by 2008 the facility had become a logistical bottleneck and a source of occasional dust complaints.
One of the issues was the ship loader itself. With a view to expanding Usibelli’s export market share, AES began taking
Located on the Alaska's scenic Resurrection Bay, the ship loader at the Port of Seward loads coal for export 10 Solids & Bulk Handling • November 2010
www.solidsandbulk.co.uk
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