Port manager Rob Draper with one of the new unloadersA £30 million investment in three new unloaders at Immingham Bulk Terminal is gearing up to play a vital role in the reliable and efficient flow of raw materials to
British Steel’s manufacturing operations in Scunthorpe. The world-class rail-mounted unloaders were built in Germany by Kocks Ardelt Kranbau and transported to the port facility on specialist heavy-lift vessels.
Rob Draper, British Steel’s port manager at Immingham Bulk Terminal (IBT), said: “These Tukan cranes are a real step forward for our port operations. They are equipped with the latest technical advances in dig depth optimisation, a system designed by Ardelt engineers to ensure continuous peak performance and eliminate inefficiencies.
“They also have an operating radius designed for the largest dry cargo ships and with their ability to slew (rotate) too, they’re much more flexible – and that brings huge advantages during vessel cleaning, grab changes and maintenance.”
Technological advancesThe new unloaders benefit from the latest technological advances and can handle large volumes of material more efficiently as well as having lower electrical demands compared to their predecessors.
Mr Draper added: “It is fantastic to see these impressive machines at Immingham, their scale is truly awesome. It is exciting to start embracing the new technology the new cranes offer and there is no doubt they will be hugely beneficial to our efficient unloading activities.”
This scheme is just one of a series of investments made by Jingye Group since it acquired British Steel in 2020, totalling around £330 million. Other significant investments include: £54 million invested in a new billet caster at the company’s Scunthorpe site; a £26 million Mast Service Centre for British Steel’s Special Profiles business in Skinningrove; and £14.6 million invested to enhance the company’s energy operations including improvements to recycling works-arising gases and electricity generation.