Its task is to complete loading of PANAMAX vessels in the roads.
At the end of June, the crane reached the two-million-ton mark of grain and oilseed crops loaded, having shipped Ukrainian agricultural commodities on 141 motor ships.
The floating crane’s efficient operation proves a success of NIBULON’s investment program to revive Ukrainian navigation and significantly contributes to NIBULON’s export success.
In particular, in the 2013/14 marketing year, due to St. Mykolai, the company achieved about 825 thousand tons of agricultural commodity shipped (including for export). And it is almost 17% of the total NIBULON’s exports! The crane closes the current marketing year with a production figure of almost 1.147 million tons which is about 28% of the total NIBULON’s exports.
The operation of NIBULON’s own vessel enables the company not to hire two vessels and save millions of hryvnas annually.
In addition to operating in NIBULON’s shipping company, St. Mykolai renders commercial services on vessel loading to third-party organizations.
According to the results of the vessel’s operation, since August 2013, its actual productivity comprises up to 400 tons per hour, not yielding to the capacity of the most up-to-date conveyer and noria equipment of the leading foreign producers. Analyzing the crane’s achievements, it should be noted that NIBULON’s shipping company operates efficiently, demonstrating the absence of demurrage during loading operations and the breakdown of contract arrangements.
By the way, the floating crane conducts loading operations in the outer roads of Mykolayiv Sea Trade Port in three stages.
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; setting-up procedures and development of loading schemes.
2. Vessel loading.
3. Final works: closing of covers of non-self-propelled vessels, unmooring, deck cleaning; stowing of holds of non-self-propelled vessels; draft survey (measurement of cargo weight and size); border closing.
St. Mykolai meets the best European standards and requirements, being one of the most productive vessels in Ukraine. Its modernity, technical characteristics and ice class allow the vessel to complete loading of sea vessels in ice brushes the whole year round.