Invest NI Hosts Dry Bulk Handling Port and Terminal Operators from India and the Middle East.

In July 2024, we successfully hosted an Inward mission to Northern Ireland, welcoming top dry bulk handling Ports and Terminal operators from the Middle East and India.

With the aim to reinforce Northern Ireland's reputation for world-class products and innovative solutions, the mission was an endeavour to showcase expertise that companies from Northern Ireland offer in the sector and boost exports through stakeholder engagement.

Delegates were introduced to a range of materials handling equipment within the realm of ports to warehouses—innovative technologies and bespoke Ship loaders, Radial Telescopic conveyors, Hopper feeders, Ship Unloaders, Bulk Reception Feeders, Tracked mobile conveyors, and Port hoppers designed to handle diverse bulk materials viz. Iron Ore, Bauxite, Coal, Limestone, Sand, Cement Clinker, Grains, Pet Coke, and more.

Dry bulk ports and terminals are not just part of logistical supply chains; they are also essential to the global economy. These versatile facilities, whether dedicated or multi-purpose, handle a diverse range of dry bulk trades, such as bulk minerals (Iron ore, bauxite, coal, pet coke, etc.), Agricultural bulk/grains, Limestone, Cement clinker, sand and gravel, Fertilisers, and biomass.

The Middle East and India region plays a critical role in the dry bulk terminals ecosystem as prime import and export hubs for minerals, construction raw materials, grains, phosphate and fertilisers.

UAE, in particular, is home to one of the world's largest and most advanced dry bulk ports. Supported by rebounding economic and industrial activity, seaborne dry bulk trade is expected to show an average CAGR of 3% growth in the next decade. The global trade outlook for dry bulk commodities is positive, with bulk minerals supplying large-scale industrial activity and energy transition. Equally important, Agri bulk and fertiliser products from this region are crucial in feeding the ever-increasing global population, connecting us to a larger cause.

In India, the government has set forth a vision to propel the country to a global maritime leader. The scale of this vision is evident in the more than 200 port modernisation projects that have been identified, including the construction of new mega ports that will augment the capacity handling of Indian ports.

Key highlights from the visit included:

• Demonstration of innovative solutions and equipment: Delegates were given factory tours of companies in Northern Ireland - Telestack, Edge Innovate and ProStack, where they witnessed the advanced production and quality control process that goes into manufacturing this world-class equipment. These machines cater to various materials handling applications within the Ports and Terminals industry, ranging from ship loading, unloading, stacking, transfer, storage and warehousing, highlighting the versatility and efficiency of Northern Irish engineering.
• Networking and Knowledge Exchange: The trade mission provided opportunities for delegates to network with Northern Irish companies. These interactions fostered valuable discussions on potential collaborations and partnerships, reinforcing Northern Ireland's appeal as a prime destination for high-quality goods and services.

Northern Ireland expertise in Dry Bulk Handling:

The companies that were showcased during the visit are best in class and have experience working across geographies.

Telestack Limited specialises in the complete design, manufacture, installation, and commissioning of mobile bulk material handling systems. It has a proven global record and offers significant cost savings compared to traditional methods of material handling. In addition, it provides environmental, health, and safety benefits, making it an attractive choice for ports and inland terminals.

Telestack and JSW Infrastructure are partners in developing the Port of Jaigarh in Maharashtra, India. As part of this infrastructure improvement, a significant milestone has been achieved with the construction of a new, specialised barge-loading jetty. This jetty, equipped with Telestack units, has significantly increased the port's capacity to accommodate 15 million tonnes per year, marking a substantial leap in our maritime infrastructure development.

The Telestack Shiploading System offers unrivalled flexibility in a wide range of ship-loading applications, including stockpiling, bay loading, linking, ship loading, and reclaiming. The units' mobility options allow the operator to utilise this technology anywhere on site, ensuring a high production capacity. The All Wheel travel technology is designed to reduce hatch change times, particularly when loading geared vessels or vessels with vertical hatches. The Shiploader boom only needs to be retracted before moving in parallel to the next hatch, thus reducing loading times and maximising production rates, making your operations more productive and efficient.

EDGE Innovate , with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing mobile conveying technology, has developed expert knowledge in the design and installation of bulk material handling systems. They innovatively design and manufacture a full range of high-performing mobile ship loaders and easily adaptable feeders to existing conveying systems. These mobile ship-loading equipment will maximise production rates whilst keeping labour costs to an absolute minimum.

ProStack offers an extensive suite of mobile conveyors designed to meet the specific needs of ports and terminals. This includes port hoppers, mobile telescopic conveyors, bulk reception feeders, and tracked conveyors, which ensure operational flexibility, adapt to changing needs, and provide exceptional technical performance for port loading. Each conveyor can be customised to accommodate the requirements of individual ports or terminals, with each piece of equipment featuring a unique design tailored to the specific bulk materials being handled. When not in use, the ProStack conveyor can be easily moved from the quayside, allowing the berth to be utilised for multiple operations. As no civil construction is required, a ProStack conveyor represents a lower capital investment than traditional ship-loading systems.

Positive Outcomes and Future Prospects:

The mission effectively elevated Northern Ireland's brand visibility and consideration in key international markets by engaging influential decision-makers from the Middle East and India. We look forward to building on this visit and continuing to foster international partnerships that benefit our local industries and boost external sales.