Bruks Siwertell secures repeat ship unloader service contract at Mailiao power plant

13 May 2022

Bruks Siwertell has secured a repeat original equipment manufacturer (OEM) service contract that will see it deliver a substantial electrical system upgrade, including parts and expertise, to another of Mailiao power plant’s long-standing Siwertell ship unloaders. The 4,200 MW power station is the third largest operating in Taiwan and is served by a total of six Siwertell screw-type unloaders. 

“Following the successful completion of a very similar service contract last year, the owners have once again opted for our expert approach to upgrading crucial systems on another hard-working ship unloader,” says Mats Lindberg, Key Account Manager, Bruks Siwertell.

The six large Siwertell unloaders are owned and operated by Formosa Plastic Corporation (FPC) and Mai-Liao Power Corporation (MPC). Three of these were delivered in 2001, two in 2006 and one in 2018. Four Siwertell ST 790-type unloaders handle coal, and one ST 790 and one ST 940-DOB unloader are combined coal and salt unloaders. 

Bruks Siwertell will deliver a new electrical system, with housing, including a motor control center to one of the two ST 790-type ship unloaders delivered in 2006, which currently handles coal at a rated capacity of 2,000t/h, discharging vessels up to 180,000 dwt. 

Taking the same approach as the previous contract, Bruks Siwertell’s cost-effective solution is to exchange the parts entirely, and ship a fully equipped and tested system direct to the power plant. This significantly reduces the time that it would take to overhaul all the relevant existing components.

“FPC keeps all the ship unloaders in good operational condition, taking maintenance and service very seriously to maximize safety, efficiency and operational availability,” continues Lindberg. “Like the other recently serviced unloader, this latest unit has clocked-up over 30,000 operational hours and over the years has been kept in prime order through a progressive maintenance strategy from the company.

“We are committed to the through-life support of all our installations, and these ship unloaders serve as a notable example,” he adds. “Throughout their operational lives, Bruks Siwertell has continuously supported FPC with its maintenance program, providing spare parts, service and inspections.”

The replacement system is due for delivery in the summer this year with installation and commissioning planned towards the end of 2022. Like the initial contact, it will take about six weeks to complete, minimizing any downtime for the plant.