Bulk Loading and Handling

Bulk loading facilities are available at shipside for loading or discharging of soda ash, potash and other dry bulk commodities of a free-flowing nature. The loading is accomplished by the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal bulkloader, which has a rated capacity of 1,800 tons per hour.

The bulkloader boom can travel 152.4 meters laterally while being extended or raised to accommodate loading of nearly any size or type of ship. Berthing space for bulkloading operations stretches 243.84 meters with depths of up to 12.8 meters at mean low water. Railcar discharging operations are covered, allowing all-weather operation.

Bulk Silos

Connected to the bulkloader is a 32,900-metric-ton bulk storage silo complex, completely automated for the storage and handling of either grains or minerals.

The productivity during a sustained hour does not represent the average amount of tons that can be discharged from the loader to a vessel. The average varies according to vessel type, size and number of hatches. A bulk carrier is capable of being loaded faster than a Tween-Decker. The number of times the loader must be stopped and started to change from one hatch to another also affects the average time. Other factors would be the speed of railcar unloading, weather conditions and pollution controls.

Traveling Loader

The traveling loader is located on 152.4 meters of track. There is voice communication to all points of the loader.

Railcar Unloading Speed

The average speed at which a railcar may be unloaded varies according to commodity, size of car and weather. A 100-ton car may be discharged in four minutes on the average, whereas a 110-ton car will take an average of six minutes. Discharge to silos requires 10 minutes per car. The bottom-drop dumper will take two cars on one track. At the silos, there is one bottom-drop dumping pit. There is direct rail access to all points of the loader.

Liquid Storage Facilities

Three 3,784-kiloliter (one million-gallon) tanks are located at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal for the handling and storage of liquid bulk products. For information call the Marine Operations department of the Port.

There are also facilities and tankage for the storage and handling of ships bunkers for Bunker C and diesel, as well as kerosene. These are also located at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and are operated by The Jankovich Company.