Since the end of April 2007 European Bulk Services (E.B.S.) has been using a new train loading & unloading installation at her Europoort Terminal. The installation is completely focussed on treatment of mainly grains and agri bulk products. Grains from Europe are being transported by train wagons, unloaded at E.B.S. and afterwards either exported to overseas countries  either distributed by ship to North Western Europe. But also goods from bulk carriers come in, e.g. from South America or Asia. These goods are being loaded by E.B.S. in train wagons with a final destination of Middle Europe. By means of this investment E.B.S. has created new cargo streams and has expanded her ‘natural grounds’ to Middle Europe.

The new installation is very flexible. The special thing is that the agri bulk loading can be weighed both with a weighing bridge in the loading/unloading installation as with the existing weighing scales in the grain silo. When the grain is being discharged in the unloading pit of the installation, it’s being elevated to approx. six meters where it falls on a conveying belt. This belt is placed 5 meters above the ground and goes to the silo where it comes out in a redler (chain transport system for internal transport of bulk goods). From there on the product can be transported by the existing transport ways to the silo. The silo has a capacity of a hundred thousand tonnes. Loading takes place by the same ways.

More options, more freedom

E.B.S. choose very consciencly for several options in order to be able to handle the cargo as efficient as possible. When the goods are being weighed in the grain silo building, bigger quantities -at the same time- can be handled and the stevedoring can work quicker. As soon as a sea ship waits for unloading on the jetty, goods are being weighed by the weighing installation in the silo. At the same time smaller ships can be loaded with products out of the silo. If this is the case, and trains have to be handled, then the weighing bridge in the train loading and unloading station is used. All activities can be operated at the same time without delays.

To load train wagons, the long conveyor belt between the unloading pit and the silo has been smartly adjusted. This conveyor belt can turn two ways. Transportation of the product before loading the train wagon takes place with help of a special shed compartment in the silo building. In this area a stock is kept which functions also as a buffer for loading of train wagons. The weighing of product in this kind of loading, only takes places with the weighing bridge in the train loading and unloading station.

The unloading area of the train installation is partly raised. In this way E.B.S. can also unload tip up trucks as an optional activity.

Super modern engine

The complementary rail (shunting) is destined for E.B.S. but also for the nearby company ADM. In this case both companies can always be provided with full or empty wagons.

Besides the investment of this new train loading and unloading installation, E.B.S. also bought a new, super modern engine which is authorised to drive as well on the inside as on the outside of the site.

Specialty is that this engine simply drives off the rail and continues on the streets.

At the moment grains are being exported by Europe via sea harbours (amongst others Rotterdam) and agri bulk products being imported. Grains come more and more out of countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic. From a logistic point of view, trains are the most handled transportation means for this product stream. France is also a grain producer since many years, where grains mostly leave the French inner country by train wagons.

The biggest part of the loaded export grains (like wheat and barley) go to the Middle East and Africa. Countries like Saudi-Arabia, Tunis, Tanzania are regular clients.