In the outer roads of Mykolayiv Sea Commercial Port St. Mykolai self-propelled floating crane has been operating for 15 weeks. During this time the floating crane has finished loading 318 thousand tons of wheat, barley, corn, rape seed and other crops on 22 motor vessels.
According to the specialists of NIBULON’s shipping company, on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, on December 6 the floating crane will have loaded its first 400 thousand tons!
Operation of its own floating crane allows NIBULON not to rent two vessels and to save about UAH 9.600 million as of the given period (as of December 6)!
Thus, the main task of St. Mykolai is to load PANAMAX vessels full. It is a three-stage process.
1. Preparatory works: movement of the floating crane and non-self-propelled vessels from their location to a vessel; mooring; opening of holds of non-self-propelled vessels; rolling of covers, unloading of skid steer loaders (Bobcat S770); setting-up procedures and development of loading schemes.
2. PANAMAX vessel loading.
3. Final works: closing of covers of non-self-propelled vessels, unmooring, deck removal; stowing of holds of non-self-propelled vessels; draft survey (determination of cargo weight and size); border closing.
According to Oleksandr Shmakov, deputy director of the shipping company on economic issues, at present the floating crane has proved its efficiency. “At the same time with operation commencement of the floating crane we were finishing training of the crew; there were carried out final adjustment work. Gradually, the floating crane has reached its planned productivity”.
We would remind you that St. Mykolai is Ukraine’s largest transshipment floating crane which can replace up to 10 standard vessels that operate in Ukraine’ market. The crane’s nameplate daily capacity comprises up to 20 thousand tons that equals the capacity of NIBULON’s transshipment terminal in Mykolayiv city.
Oleksandr Shmakov says during the floating crane operation there has not been any demurrage that could cause breakdown of contract agreements.
Besides, as winter comes and the ice campaign is announced, St.Mykolai will continue to load sea-going vessels full, as its technical characteristics include ice class allowing St. Mykolai to operate among small ice pieces.