Ecore VLOC concept with a self-loading system
Ecore conveyor
The Ecore VLOC, a concept study of DNV together with industry partners - FKAB, MAN Diesel & Turbo, TGE Marine and Cargotec will be equipped with a MacGregor self-loading system from Cargotec as an integral element of the 250,000 dwt sustainable ore carrier.
As DNV says, Ecore has been designed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly in comparison with existing very large ore carriers (VLOCs), and that the focus has been on available technology so that the concept ship could be built today.
The vessel has two receiving hoppers, one on each side, and bulk material is loaded into one of these at up to 16,000 tph by the shore-based loader. From the hopper, cargo is fed to the loading conveyor, which travels on rails in the upper part of the cargo hold and ensures continuous loading throughout the length of the hold. The conveyor is reversible so that it can distribute material to both ends. The shore-based ship loader is connected to the receiving hopper with bellows, and there is no need to open the hatches during the loading process, resulting in a continuous, totally enclosed loading sequence.
