Bulk handling methods have been used for bagged produce.

For example, you can use conveyors to transport from your stockyard to the ship. Transfer points are laid out appropriately and the discharge chute can use a slide of sorts, for example a spiral slide.

In the hold, you then need to stack the bags. Depending on the bag and hold shape, this could possibly be automated.

Stacking form will also be driven by unloading mechanisms at the other end, especially if you do not wish to have any manual handling. However, manual handling is still used with smaller bags. ■