Floating ship loading system

Bremanger Quarry 's innovative loading system was developed as an alternative to a fixed quay structure. Due to the extreme depth of over 40 meters, this would be technically complex and environmentally harmful. A floating solution was found to offer the same capacity, but with significantly less impact on the environment. The installation is a Dutch invention, built here and then shipped to Norway for installation.

The ship loader is designed as a completely floating structure, independent from the mooring system. It consists of pontoons on which the loading ramp with conveyor belt is placed. The ship loader can be positioned precisely via a smart electric winch system, which can be controlled remotely.

Saving fuel
During mooring, the loader is in retracted position. Immediately after docking, the loader is moved into position alongside the vessel. Because the shiploader can rotate, the ship can remain moored during loading without using the engines to recover. This saves time and fuel.

Loading at any height
Because the loader is height-adjustable, the drop height of the stone remains limited and even large empty vessels sitting high on the water can be loaded. From the control cabin at the end of the loader, the operator has a direct view on the loading process.

The mooring system consists of heavy land bollards and three specially developed floating mooring buoys, completely renewed and certified by Bureau Veritas in 2022. This system guarantees stable and safe mooring even in severe weather conditions.

Thanks to its unique floating loading system, Bremanger Quarry offers:

• High loading speed and 24/7 availability
• Suitable for the largest vessels, without draught restriction
• Short loading time due to direct access to open sea.
• Minimal environmental impact by avoiding shore structures and lower fuel consumption during loading.

The use of large self-unloading bulk carriers makes it possible to transport stone products with very low emissions per ton - a key aspect of Bontrup's sustainable logistics chain.

The floating ship loading system in Bremanger - Dutch innovation in Norwegian waters: flexible, safe and sustainable vessel loading on a global scale.