Coal loading methods

Stacker-reclaimer method

Using the stacker-reclaimer method, coal is emptied out of rail cars using a rotary wagon tipper onto a belt conveyor which carries the coal to a travelling stacker, which forms high stockpiles. To load the ships, a rotary-wheel reclaimer picks up the coal from the stockpile and transfers it onto a belt conveyor. A travelling, adjustable conveyor then discharges directly into the ship’s hold. At its Vanino Bulk Terminal, SUEK uses fog generators at each stage of the loading cycle to suppress coal dust. It is an efficient loading technique especially suitable for larger ships.

Coal loading method with cranes and grabs

The grab loading process uses cranes to remove coal from rail cars and transfer it directly into a ship. Alternatively, coal can be loaded from stockpiles immediately adjacent to the berths. This loading method is mostly used at long-established ports which were designed as multi-purpose facilities for loading general cargo by cranes.