Pneumatic Ship

and Barge Unloaders

State-of-the-art design
and technology

WE DISCOVER POTENTIAL
Smart unloading systems
that won’t let you down
Downtime on your ship and barge unloaders causes process bottlenecks and significant
expense. Yet so many pneumatic vacuum arms are simply not cut out for the job,
succumbing to high loads and forces that lead to cracks and failures. We don’t believe it
should be this way. So not only do we find and strengthen stress points to ensure our
unloading arms won’t let you down, we also back every DOCKSIDER™
and KOVAKO® ship unloader with a performance guarantee.

Key benefits
■ ■ ■

Stronger Dust-free Automatic Performance Bespoke

unloading arms system unloading controls guarantee engineering
 Pneumatic ship and barge
unloaders designed for real
world applications
Vacuum arms you can trust Intuitive control systems
Two things you don’t want to lose: valuable bulk materials and Automation makes unloading operations safer, more efficient and
time. But when a vacuum arm fails, both are at risk. Unfortunately, more accurate. All DOCKSIDER and KOVAKO ship unloaders
most pneumatic vacuum unloading arms simply aren’t up to the have modern PLC control systems that control all of the unloading
job. They have evolved from cranes originally designed for vertical functions automatically using easy-to-navigate touchscreens.
lifting and are fabricated from high-tensile steel. As the arms are The control systems have built-in features to monitor operational
maneuvered through deep piles of bulk materials, they are status, process settings, historical production data, alarms and
subjected to high loading conditions and forces which could lead maintenance requirements. It can even simulate operating
to rapid fatigue, cracking and failure. conditions and test the components and sub systems, ensuring
that your unloader is ready to work when you are.
We use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and perform full kinematic
studies to identify and strengthen stress points on the DOCK-
SIDER and KOVAKO ship unloader arms during the design phase.
This gives you a more reliable vacuum arm that won’t fail
during operation.

Caring for the environment

Unloading operations can be very dusty, presenting a health and
safety risk for your operators and a threat to the local environment.
Not our systems. From the time the material enters the vacuum
nozzle to the time it reaches its storage destination, it is fully
encapsulated in a system of piping, hoses and vessels – making
DOCKSIDER and KOVAKO ship unloaders among the most environ-
mentally-friendly transfer systems in the industry.

The filtration system is either integral to the transfer kettles or

installed as a separate filter receiver (for dual-pipeline or extra-high
capacity applications). Pleated cartridges provide optimal cloth area
in a compact design, and jet-pulse cleaning and a PTFE media
coating offer maximum durability and efficiency.

Ship Unloader 3
No ifs, no buts. Performance, guaranteed. For high-capacity applications, a separate vacuum filter receiver
All of our ship unloaders are designed for optimal performance, allows for continuous airflow and faster material transfer. Multiple
according to the characteristics of the materials being transported, discharge options, including pressure tanks, feeders and rotary
the capacity, any space constraints, etc. Our engineers are support- valves enable you to convey a wide range of dry-bulk materials
ed by our Pneumatic Conveying R&D facility, which is capable of – including abrasive products such as alumina and coarse lime-
analyzing and testing hundreds of materials to see how they move stone. The system can even discharge through a Fuller-Kinyon®
through a pneumatic conveying pipeline, their fluidization, response pump – allowing for simple, low-pressure pneumatic conveying,
to different pressures, and so much more. We’re so confident that or to provide a durable vacuum seal for material transfer to a
we can build the right solution for your specific application that dock belt conveyor.
every DOCKSIDER and KOVAKO ship unloader is backed with
a performance guarantee.

Versatile, advanced, and designed just for you: Starting with a range of four basic sizes, FLSmidth can supply the
the DOCKSIDER™ right DOCKSIDER ship unloader for any terminal – whether you’re
Because every terminal is different, all our DOCKSIDER ship unloading river barges or Handymax bulk vessels, and whether
unloaders are custom-designed for your specific application. you’re conveying to an adjacent belt conveyor or through a 1200 m
Delivering proven performance, reliability and durability, these (4000 ft) pipeline.
state-of-the-art ship unloaders have gained a reputation as
the best ship unloaders in the world.

4 Ship Unloader
DOCKSIDER™ PNEUMATIC UNLOADERS

Model DS1 DS2 DS3 DS4

Maximum peak/ 400 MTPH¹ 550 MTPH¹ 725 MTPH¹ 1200 MTPH¹
design capacity

Maximum vessel size 8000 DWT 45000 DWT 55000 DWT 65000 DWT

Available vacuum 37 m (123’) (3-section) 45m (148’) (3-section)

18 m (60’) (3-section) 42 m (138’) (3-section)
arm length 41 m (135’) (3-section) 47 m (154’) (3-section)

Stationary Stationary Stationary Stationary

Available configurations Dock mobile Dock mobile Dock mobile Dock mobile
Gantry mobile Gantry mobile Gantry mobile Gantry mobile

¹ Based on Type I/II Portland Cement with the shortest available vacuum arm. Convey capacity is sized for site requirement.

systems can be accurately and confidently applied for use with

various other dry-bulk materials such as fly ash and ground blast
furnace slag.

KOVAKO ship unloaders are offered in three standard models that

match optimal unloading capacity with typical vessel sizes –
eliminating added costs associated with custom design. They are
available as electric powered and in multiple configurations –
making it easy to match a KOVAKO ship unloader model to any
terminal application.

KOVAKO® – the original pneumatic ship and

barge unloader
The KOVAKO name is recognized around the world as a symbol of
quality and performance for vacuum/pressure transfer of cement
from ships and barges to land-side storage. Since becoming part
of FLSmidth in 1992, the industry has benefitted greatly from the
combination of the KOVAKO ship unloader innovative design
and FLSmidth’s global reputation for superior technology and
customer service.

Today’s KOVAKO ship unloaders are built to comply with CE and

US design and performance requirements. Utilizing the resources
available at FLSmidth’s Pneumatic Conveying R&D Facility, these

Ship Unloader 5
KOVAKO® PNEUMATIC UNLOADERS

Model K01 K02 K03

Maximum normal capacity 200 MTPH¹ 200 MTPH¹ 320 MTPH¹

Maximum vessel size 8000 DWT 20000 DWT 45000 DWT

24 m (79’) (3 section) 32 m (105’) (3 section)

Available vacuum 20 m (66’) (4 section) 26 m (85’) (3 section) 34 m (112’) (3 section)
arm length 23 m (76’) (4 section) 28 m (92’) (3 section) 36 m (118’) (3 section)
31 m (102’) (3 section)

Stationary Stationary
Stationary
Available configurations Dock mobile Dock mobile
Road towable ² Gantry mobile Gantry mobile

¹ Based on Type I/II Portland Cement with the shortest available vacuum arm and a maximum overall convey distance of 100 meters horizontal
and 25 meters vertical, including (6) 90-degree equivalent bends.

² Permit may be required for movement over public roads, per local law.

Continuous service
and support
Field Service and Emergency Repairs
Getting help when you need it ensures optimum performance and
maximum uptime. Our factory-trained service engineers provide
on-site assistance to help you repair or troubleshoot your DOCK-
SIDER or KOVAKO ship unloader during an emergency or regularly
scheduled maintenance. Trouble-shooting may be available
remotely through the PLC if your system has online capabilities.

Technical Support and Training

Whether you need to onboard new staff, supplement your skillset,
or if you just need more knowhow in the mix, our engineering staff
are always available to assist in any problem solving or training
required to meet the needs of your operation.

6 Ship Unloader
Spare Parts Handling Upgrades and Optimization
We offer speedy spare parts support for all types of DOCKSIDER Do you have an older or under-performing unloader that you would
or KOVAKO ship unloaders. Many of the spare parts are in stock like to upgrade? Our design and field service engineers can
in our warehouses and can be provided immediately to any evaluate your existing system and offer solutions that will keep your
location worldwide. system operating at its optimal performance level.

Ship Unloader 7
 TOWARDS ZERO EMISSIONS IN MINING AND CEMENT

Zero 100% fuel Zero water Zero Zero energy

emissions substitution waste waste waste

FLSmidth A/S Copyright © 2021 FLSmidth.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Vigerslev Allé 77 FLSmidth is a (registered)
trademark of FLSmidth.
DK-2500 Valby This brochure makes no offers,
Copenhagen representations or warranties
(express or implied), and
Tel: +45 3618 1000 information and data contained
Fax: +45 3630 1820 in this brochure are for general
reference only and may
CM 07-21 900-15-ENG

[email protected] change at any time.