Articulated Skips Improve Efficiencies in the Loading Operation at Maydon Wharf Terminal

A trial to use articulated skips instead of traditional skips in the chrome loading operation at the Maydon Wharf Terminal has set an efficiency record of more than 50%, increasing the loading rate from an average of 140 tons per hour per vessel crane to 350 tons per hour per vessel crane.

The pilot, which is in partnership with customer Samancor Chrome Limited and their extended partner Bidfreight Port Operations and Steinweg, underscores the collaboration with customers to improve efficiency and maintain competitiveness.

Vessel turnaround time also improved by over 40%, with the vessel completing the loading of 20,000 tons of chrome in three and a half days. The automation in the articulated skips also improved crane swing times from a maximum of 8 to 3.5 minutes.

This Maydon Wharf trial will be extended to other bulk handling terminals across the country, with potential full roll out, if successful. The process enhances safety, improves productivity and is cost effective in the long term. Terminal Manager, Sihle Mpungose commended the team for the successful pilot after Vessel MW Observator set sail, ferrying South Africa’s export chrome to China.

Samancor Group Manager: Logistics and Exports, Lawrence Pillay said: “Samancor Chrome, on behalf of the industry, is grateful to its partners, BPO and Steinweg for their willingness to invest in this trial including Transnet, and TPT Maydon Wharf, in particular, for supporting the trial. This is the first piece of new equipment (articulated skip) that has been introduced since the original skip loading operation, which was first introduced in the late 1970s. If partnered correctly between TPT (Maydon Wharf and Richards Bay) and industry, this could be a game changer for all neo-bulk exports out of South Africa.”

The Maydon Wharf Terminal is one of 16 sea-cargo terminals managed by Transnet Port Terminals, the operating division of Transnet SOC Ltd.