Star Cement recently signed a purchase agreement contract with Van Aalst Bulk Handling of the Netherlands in Dubai for the complete engineering and supply of a high-efficiency pneumatic ship unloader.

This ship unloader is designed for a capacity of 200 tonnes-per-hour transport of bulk cement and capable of unloading ships up to 15,000 tonnes dwt. Further the system is so designed that the cement from the vessel can be directly transported into cement silos or to any hopper from where cement can be  loaded into bulk tankers, said a Star Cement spokesman.
The machine has a total weight of approximately 70 tonnes with a self-propelling mechanism driven by hydraulics, and with a three-section arm assembly of 32  m length that is capable of unloading the ship holds effectively. This machine is specially designed to cater to the needs of various restrictions on the jetty floor and at the same time to have efficient unloading capabilities. High-efficiency dust collectors ensure dust-free transport of cement with emission levels less than 5 mg/Nm3. The complete machine is powered by its own diesel engine.
Star Cement will utilise this machine primarily for their Port Sudan Cement terminal and it is also flexible to be transported to any site as and when required.
“We at Star Cement maintain an optimum balance of technology and expertise by investing valuable resources in people, the latest technology and regional distribution to ensure our plants become a reliable source for cement and building materials in the regions we operate,” said Ahmed Salahuddin, business development manager.
Star Cement is part of the $1.8 billion ETA Ascon Group with offices around the world and interests in areas such as construction, engineering and maintenance, automobiles, manufacturing, bulk commodity trading and shipping, fashion, consumer products and retail and industrial products.
Present at the signing ceremony were Gert Van Aalst, managing director of Van Aalst, AK Naseeruddin, director of Star Cement, and Salahuddin, among other officials.