Tenova TAKRAF Italy has been awarded a contract by ILVA S.p.A., the leading Italian steel producer, for the design and supply of a bucket-chain continuous ship unloader (CSU) for handling iron ore and coal at the ILVA steel plant in Taranto, Italy.

This plant is the largest of its kind in Europe. The 18-month turnkey contract builds on a long-standing business association between Tenova TAKRAF and ILVA of more than 40 years.

Following the devastating tornado of November 2012, ILVA initiated a plan for environmental rehabilitation of the steel industry in Taranto. The new CSU was ordered as a consequence of this. The plan involves replacement of the old grab ship unloaders at the ILVA plant’s Pier II with modern bucket chain CSUs, which significantly reduce dust emission during the discharge cycle. The CSU’s low environmental impact is a major feature, noting that the steel plant is close to the city area.

The new CSU will have an operating capacity of 4000 tn/hr for iron ore or 2240 tn/hr for coal and will be able to download vessels up to 150,000 dwt (deadweight tonnage). The CSU will be erected on the existing runways to feed the entire steel plant with coal and iron ore and pellets, together with the other machines at the plant.

“Tenova TAKRAF’s involvement with this important client dates back to the 1970s, at which time Tenova TAKRAF was known as Italimpianti,” says Alberto Dardano, managing director of Tenova TAKRAF Italy. Italimpianti at that time supplied the grab ship unloaders that are to be exchanged in this new project. “This valued relationship has been sustained not only through many repeat contracts, but also, through the quality of after sales services we have provided to ILVA on an ongoing basis.”

In 1999 Tenova TAKRAF also supplied a CSU for Pier IV and an additional large grab unloader for the same Pier in 2009.

In addition to the long-standing and much-valued relationship with the client and competitive pricing, availability of this technology was a major factor in the award. Only a few companies in the world are able to supply this type of technology. Tenova TAKRAF developed its bucket chain CSU technology in the 1980s. Subsequent years have seen ongoing enhancement to the technology, with the most sophisticated part being the digging foot, for which the company holds the patent. This long history and vast experience is emphasized by many successful references: to date, 15 CSUs have been supplied worldwide, with relevant references to the ILVA award being four CSUs recently supplied to Enel for Brindisi South and Torrevaldaliga North, in Italy.

The new CSU in Taranto will be almost entirely manufactured by Italian companies and is expected to be operational in late March 2015.