Functional Planning of Bulk Material Ports

New concepts in material handling methods and equipment make it essential for the terminal planner to consider operational procedures to avoid premature obsolescence of port facilities. Mass production techniques applied to mass transportation of bulk materials permit savings in handling costs. Use of large units is the key factor in cost reductions. The trend is to super sizes in trucks, rail cars, and ships. Unconventional terminal design based on the functional approach offer solutions not otherwise economically feasible. The unit train is a highly successful concept in that the train, rather than the car, is considered as the unit. Composed of high-capacity cars, handling only a single commodity at one time, the land-based unit train complements the ocean-going super carriers. The terminal planner should provide for optimum transshipment facilities so as not to negate savings in transportation costs. Examples are given.