Terex Fuchs MHL 385 D loader produced by Terex Deutschland GmbH (Germany) was delivered  to NIBULON as part of a contract signed in April.
“NIBULON’s strategic activity direction is to improve grain transportation volume up to 3 million tons of grain per year. Thus, due to the new loader, the company will enable to achieve this goal. NIBULON will use the loader to load and unload vessels. It is an integral part of the pontoon (C14938 project) that is being built at NIBULON shipbuilding and repair yard”, explains Yevgen Ignatenko, NIBULON’s shipping company director. “The loader is intended to load different types of bulk cargoes. The loader with a capacity from 4 to 6 thousand tons per day is unique in Ukraine and is the most productive one in the Black Sea region, as all the cranes with such a capacity are outdated. This model is equipped with a boom to load vessels. It allows the loader to lift cargoes within a radius of 23 m and with a 360-degree rotation angle. It is the most productive loader ever constructed by the given producer.
“The crane was unloaded by the company itself and assembled together with Terex company within 5 days, out of which 2 days were spent to unload accessories”, continues Yevgen Ignatenko. “The movable loader can operate both off-shore, moving along the berth, and on the pontoon. Thus, Terex Fuchs MHL 385 D will load vessels with the capacity of up to 55 thousand tons at Mykolayiv export terminal and other NIBULON’s terminals located along the Dnipro and the Southern Bug as well as in the outer roads of Mykolayiv Sea Trade Port. Such machinery in comparison with rope or fixed port cranes can be moved to destination point promptly. There will be no need for NIBULON to involve third-party organizations in performing such works. The company will be able to perform different works overland, using not only grab but also hook.”
Terex Fuchs MHL 385 D loader is equipped with high-capacity hydraulics that guarantees quick, smooth and accurate movements; large supporting legs and reliable statics guarantee stableness at high load. The cabin’s field of vision reaches 8.5 m, and the cabin itself is equipped with an air conditioner, useful compartments to keep things, and a visual text display. These things ensure easy intuitive control with the help of a joystick and promote confidence at work without being tired.
Its characteristics are as follows: engine power – 273 kWt; weight – 74 tons and 75.5 tons with grab; first gear speed – up to 8 km per hour; grab volume – 5 m³, grab carrying capacity  − 20 tons; productivity – 350-400 tons per hour.
NIBULON will complete construction of the pontoon (length – 38.5 m; breadth – 12 m; midship depth – 3.45 m; draught – 1.45 m) in December 2015.