Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) received a 1.34 billion rand ($98 million) machinery upgrade that has in turn boosted productivity and improved turnaround times. As a result, the firm expects a record amount of exports this year.
Two new rail-mounted stacker reclaimers, which scoop up and transfer coal into and out of the yard and its rail-mounted shiploaders were installed. With an expected capacity of 6 000 tonnes per hour compared to the previous machines’ 4,500 tonnes per hour, the shiploader will have 10,000 tonnes per hour capacity compared with 8,000 tonnes per hour previously. There will also be much less bulldozing needed, as the coal-carrying arm was extended further into the coal yard from 40 metres to 60 metres. The project also reconfigured the terminal’s five existing electrical substations and added a new substation. According to RBCT Chief Executive Officer Alan Waller., these changes have greater impacted on the terminals productivity. “We are probably 1 million tonnes ahead compared to this time last year,” he said. [Source: Mining Weekly]
About RBCT
RBCT is one of the leading coal export terminals in the world. Opened in 1976 with an original capacity of 12 million tons per annum, it has grown into an advanced 24-hour operation with a design capacity of 91 million tons per annum. The 276-hectare site currently boasts a quay 2, 2 kilometres long with six berths and four ship loaders, with stockyard capacity of 8,2 million tons. RBCT shares a strong cooperative relationship with South Africa’s national utility, Transnet, which provides the railway services linking the coal mines to the port, and the shipping coordination of more than 900 ships per annum. [Source: RBCT.co.za – https://goo.gl/vpFCJw]
2018 has been a great year for Richards Bay Coal Terminal. In early 2018, the terminal received global recognition at the Global Ports Forum awards ceremony in Dubai. They were awarded the Bulk Logistics Port Terminal of the Year accolade after being nominated by its State-owned value chain partner Transnet. RBCT last year loaded a record 76.47-million tonnes of South African-mined coal in the 12 months to the end of December despite losing 38 days to bad weather. The terminal loaded 3.9-million tonnes more coal in 2017 than in 2016 and recorded a 1.4% improvement on the previous record of 75.38-million tonnes in 2015. [Source: Engineering News]
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