Ship unloader - Kuwait

Siwertell technology efficiently performs in extreme heat

Kuwait Portland Cement Co needed to increase cement handling capacities at its port terminal in Shuaiba Port, Kuwait City, in the most efficient, reliable and effective way possible. Two decades of good experience with an existing Siwertell ship unloader led the operator to turn to Siwertell technology once again.
 

Customer need 

Leading Kuwaiti cement handler, Kuwait Portland Cement Co, needed to keep pace with growing regional construction demands, requiring it to double cement handling capabilities at its dry bulk handling terminal in Shuaiba Port, Kuwait City. The operator was looking to achieve this in the most efficient, reliable and effective way possible. 

Any system had to be designed to operate in Kuwait’s extremely hot climate, and to accommodate predicted temperature rises in the region, had to be able to withstand ambient summertime temperatures of up to 55 degrees Celsius.

The operator also needed the new bulk material handling machinery to integrate into the port terminal’s existing infrastructure and match downstream conveying technology.

Two decades of good experience with an existing rail-mounted ST 490-F Siwertell ship unloader led the operator to turn to Siwertell technology once again.

Our solution

The best suitable capacity system was assessed and Kuwait Portland Cement opted for a second rail-mounted Siwertell ship unloader. The ST 490-M unit joins the ST 490-F model on the same jetty, doubling the operator’s cement handling capacity. The new rail-mounted ship unloader was commissioned in 2024 and can withstand ambient summertime temperatures of up to 55 degrees Celsius.

It handles various cement types and delivers a continuous material handling capacity of 800t/h, discharging vessels up 80,000 dwt.
 
The new unloader also features a side tilt motion, which offers an enhanced reach into the corners of the cargo hold as well as under the hatch coamings. This additional maneuverability means that the chance of airborne emissions from avalanches in the cargo hold are absolutely minimized, along with material left for the clean-up phase, reducing vessel turnaround times, and raising the utilization rate of the jetty and therefore profitability.

Both the current and new unloader are equipped with a total capacity regulating system, maximizing the use of each unit. They can also directly discharge to bulk trucks via a truck loading arrangement underneath the ship unloader’s gantry, increasing the flexibility of the installation.