Ship loader - USA

Bruks ship loaders transform Ama grain handling terminal 

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), prides itself on the adoption of environment-friendly technology that enhances its ability to connect agricultural crops to world markets. When ADM’s Ama, facility needed replacement grain handling equipment, Bruks Siwertell installed three market-leading ship loaders, transforming the terminal’s environmental and capacity capabilities.

Customer need 

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), has a global footprint, but a firm operational infrastructure in the US. Headquartered in Chicago, ADM’s domestic operations comprise more than 160 ingredient manufacturing facilities and more than 300 crop procurement facilities, located across 29 US states; when it comes to grain handling, ADM is an expert.

The company’s Ama, Louisiana, facility has been successfully operating for decades and when the time came to replace its aging, undersized ship loading equipment, ADM was looking for technology that could deliver on both a capacity and environmental basis. 

The operator required a turn-key, tailored ship loading and conveyor solution, which could be specially designed to meet its needs. ADM also needed it to be delivered by a supplier with a US presence, and local 24/7 support. 

ADM approached Bruks Siwertell following good references and seeing both Bruks and Siwertell bulk grain handling technology working well and benefiting other operators in the agribulk industry.  

Our solution

Bruks Siwertell worked closely with ADM to establish its current needs, but to ensure long-term suitability, the potential capacity for growth was also considered. The ultimate solution for the Ama terminal included three Bruks pedestal-mounted, shuttling, slewing ship loaders with completely enclosed loading conveyors, along with six totally enclosed belt conveyors to feed dry bulk material to the ship loaders. For this particular system, the operator also requested spacious access platforms for easy maintenance.

The entire ship loading system was manufactured and pre-assembled into large, complete assemblies on the Harvey Canal and then carried on a barge to the terminal for final installation. It was commissioned in 2018. 

Each ship loader offers ADM a rated capacity of around 2,000t/h and can load post-Panamax sized vessels, up to 115,000 dwt and beam of 43m. They are in near-constant use and handle a broad range of grains including wheat, soya beans, milo, corn, meal, and dried distillers grains (DDGS). 

ADM now has a system that offers completely enclosed dry bulk material handling, which not only eliminates waste from spillage, but crucially ensures that grain handling operations are dust free. The installation has transformed the terminal and sets grain handling standards in the US.