Bosch Projects recently completed the upgrade of two shiploaders at Durban harbour, which have been used for over 50 years to load sugar onto vessels at the South African Sugar Association’s iconic terminal.
The two loaders, commissioned in 1965 by Moreland Technical & Engineering Consultants, needed to be refurbished in line with Transnet’s upgrade of berths at Maydon Wharf.
“The original 850 tph shiploaders were designed to feed onto 35 000 ton Handymax vessels, but with upgrades at the port, designed to allow for a deeper draft and the berthing of 80 000 ton Panamax vessels, modernisation of these machines was critical if they were to remain in operation,” explains Dave Chappelow, sector director: industrial, Bosch Projects. “Thorough inspections of these robust shiploaders indicated that in spite of many years of operation in aggressive seaside conditions, they were in good overall condition, with no excessive corrosion or evidence of fatigue.
“The most cost effective solution was to restore and incorporate them into a new substructure that could utilise a modern cope quayside rail. The reconfigured substructure provides the shiploaders’ existing booms sufficient access and clearance to service Panamax type vessels, even at the highest tides.
“Bosch Projects, in conjunction with contractors, Bayside Engineering, commenced onsite modifications in August 2016 to coincide with construction of the quay modifications. In spite of challenges, which included inclement coastal weather conditions and hot works restrictions imposed when vessels containing flammable goods were docked at the berth, timeous commissioning of the refurbished shiploaders took place a year later.”
Restoration also involved on and off-site conveyor belt splicing, surface preparation and painting of selected existing steelwork, as well as the replacement of the cladding where necessary.
Apart from providing specialist services to ports and terminals, Bosch Projects offers solutions to sugar and ethanol engineering, water and waste water, energy and industrial plants, roads, land and building developments.
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