Dear Malvin, The concept which you are mentioning is not new.I think in coming years this concept will be adapted by more customers because of following reasons--

1.Big savings in civil cost of the berth -Aprrox.10 million US$ (320x20x1600 us $/sq.m).( approx.rates in India)

2.Savings in berthside ship unloader-2. nos.=15 million US$ (For 2 nos.).

3.Savings in unloading time.

4.Can be used for transloading.

5.Can carry different bulk materials.

6. Less pollution.

7. The estimated cost for similar type of vessel having approx.100000 t storage capacity (iron ore)and unloading rate @ 5000 tph(for iron ore) shall be between 50-55 million US$ (by modifying old ship)

In India and in other countries where most of the berths are already occupied ,this will be a better solution where investment in making new berth will be very less.

Anil

Libran Engineering&Services

www.libranengineering.comwww.libranengineering.com ■

Dear Anil,

The consept for selfdischarging vessel is not new, but for a self discharger as we know them, they are equipped with hatch - covers like ordinary bulk carriers and more or less require the same shore infrastructure in loading operation as for ordinary bulk carriers and the saving in this end will not be so big.

The new with this consept is that this vessel is tight like an oil tanker but for dry material, it can take in the whole cargo from one point and require simple shore infrastructure to load and discharge in a tight environment and the savings will be in both ends.

Also that the vessel is tight like an oil tanker make the cargo handling safe during a voyage since many ships have not tight hatch covers, and sea water can go into the cargo in smaller amount and might damage parts of a cargo and then the cargo will be claimed, this is also a considerable cost for insurance companies.

It is too many advantages in a vessel type like this to mention all, but it is developed in the meaning that it shall be easy to operate for the crew, shall require simple shore infrastructure in both ends loading and discharging and make considerable savings for the companies which use them in the same time they will be environmental friendly.

I think by making selfdischarging ships selfloading and tight as well these shiptypes will be attractive in near future, not only large vessel but especially smaller feeder vessels, and it will; like you mention be large savings and less pollution and spill to air, sea and a better environment.

To start to make vessels like this will open up many new ways and combination for transport of different dry material, possible other general cargo like big - bags, pallets, etc.

So let,s hope someone want to build vessel like this soon.

Kind Regards

Malvin ■