Multinational original equipment manufacturer group Astec Industries has successfully completed the delivery, assembly and commissioning of a new bulk materials handling and ship loading system at Lüderitz port, in Namibia, for customer Autoforce.

The project marks the installation of the first Telestack ship loader at the port and in Namibia.

The order comprised an Astec Telestack HF18 wheeled hopper feeder and an Astec Telestack TB58 radial telescopic ship loader equipped with a 12 m steel telescopic freefall chute and a 360° trimmer/deflector chute.

Designed as a fit-for-purpose solution, the system can handle up to 1 500 t a hour of material, enabling the efficient loading of Handy and Supramax vessels, according to Astec Industries product sales manager for materials handling and breaker technologies Casper Booyse.

Originally procured for loading manganese ore, the equipment has also been used to load zinc and lead products for port customers.

Booyse says the project is intended to improve port efficiency and bulk materials handling capacity, while supporting growing export requirements through faster, more efficient ship loading.

The equipment was shipped by sea to Walvis Bay before being transported by road, in its original containers, to Lüderitz. Astec provided assembly and installation support, followed by commissioning and assistance during the loading of the first vessel.

Booyse says Astec was selected for the project based on its extensive experience in ship loading technology and its ability to provide local support through its in-country agent.

“The combination of proven technology and regional aftermarket capability gave our customer confidence in the long-term reliability and support of the solution,” he says, adding that a key feature of the Astec ship loader is its comprehensive dust control system.

“Because the materials being loaded generate significant dust, environmental dust management formed an important part of the project requirements. The enclosed ship loading system, combined with the steel telescopic freefall chute and 360° trimmer, helps contain dust while directing material precisely into a vessel's hold.”

The effectiveness of the dust control system was demonstrated during the first ship loading operation, with port authorities expressing their satisfaction with the results.

The new equipment supplied by Astec has also delivered significant operational improvements.

“On the first ship loaded in Lüderitz, we doubled the tons per hour feed rate that they were previously achieving using old technology and conventional ship loading. Loading time has been improved and operational efficiency boosted,” Booyse reports.

With the new equipment commissioned and operating successfully, ongoing technical support will be provided jointly by Astec South Africa and its fully trained in-country agent, ensuring continued aftermarket assistance for the installation.

“This project represents an important milestone for Astec, demonstrating our ability to supply and support advanced ship loading solutions for African markets. It also reflects the growing need for improved ship loading technology as bulk material exports increase and ports seek to reduce vessel loading times.

"Astec's mission is simple: to design and build state-of-the-art equipment that enables our customers to deliver industry-leading results efficiently and profitably. With this equipment we achieved that by supplying a solution that met and surpassed customer expectations and was fit for purpose," Booyse concludes.