Siwertell unloader meets Subic Grain's growing import needs

Good recommendations, proven performance and an unmatched record for fast, efficient grain handling led Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services Inc to opt for a Siwertell unloader. Since its delivery, feedback has been resoundingly positive, with the unloader meeting the company’s growing capacity demands.

Customer need 

Located within the Subic Bay Freeport terminal on the west coast of Luzon, in the Philippines, Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services Inc handles various grains, including a third of all wheat imported into the country. In the past, this has amounted to around 1.2 million metric tons of wheat per year and until recently it met this demand using three low-capacity rail-mounted grab bucket unloaders and several mobile pneumatic units.

However, grain intake at the port has been increasing steadily, and Subic Grain expects this to rise at around five percent each year for the next few years on the basis of guarantees from its customers.

With a major responsibility to the people of the Philippines, Subic Grain began to investigate a means of improving its capacity in line with the rising expectations of importers. It also wanted to achieve this in an efficient, environmentally friendly way. Furthermore, aside from grain, the company needed a dry bulk material handling system that could unload cement, in line with its long-term development plans.

Our solution

Subic Grain decided on a Siwertell ST 490-F ship unloader, which was installed in 2019 on an existing quay alongside the buckets, grabs and pneumatics. The unloader is now being used to serve the Philippines’ growing trade in wheat imports, discharging vessels up to 50,000 dwt at rated capacities of 600t/h for grain, and will comfortably be able to switch to handling cement at rates of 800t/h. 

Expansion plans at Subic Bay are far from over, with plans for a new dedicated grain unloading quay. But for the time being, the installation on the existing quay is allowing Subic Grain to benefit from its investment as quickly as possible.

“Aside from being cost efficient relative to the market, Siwertell unloaders came with very good recommendations from some of our friends from within the grain industry and friends from different sectors altogether,” said  Carlo Eduardo D Aliño, Subic Grain Vice President, Operations and Business Development. “Based on their feedback, Siwertell unloaders did indeed deliver all; efficient discharge operations, heavy-duty fortitude, as well as long-term reliability and usage. We expect to be in touch for our next unloader(s) soon.”