Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Transport Technology



C. Kok en O.C. Maan Meten van mors bij de overslag van stortgoed
Experiment, Report 2007.TEL.7182, Transport Engineering and Logistics.


During the transshipment of bulk solid materials some of the material is spilled out into the environment. This is an undesirable effect of which the extent is unknown to companies as well as public authorities. In order to have a clear view on this problem the first step which has to be taken is the specific knowledge in how much material is actually spilled before any measures can be taken.

To investigate the amount of spillage during the transshipment of bulk solid materials a method has been developed. This method is specially designed so it can be applied in the various situations present at the different companies in the Netherlands. Based on the actual situation an area is set up in which all the spillage is collected and weighed during the transshipment. The method also intends to measure a number of variables which may influence the amount of spilled material. Finally all the data is stored in a database which can later on be used for further analysis.

The method is applied already for two Dutch companies, namely the 'Europees Massagoed-Overslagbedrijf (EMO) BV' in Rotterdam and the 'Overslagbedrijf Vlissingen en Terneuzen' (OVET) BV' in Vlissingen. During the transshipment of coal the method is applied to determine how much material is spilled on land and water. Because the method is yet only applied in two different situations and in two measurements there is hardly anything to say about the influence of the different variables on the spilling.

The comparison between the two companies showed not only difference in scale of transport but also in the amount of spillage. EMO BV has twice the capacity of OVET BV, but also the spilling is higher. EMO spills about 7,9 x 10-3 % of which 3,7 x 10-4 % ends up in sea. OVET spills about 2,2 x 10-3 %, because of application of a pontoon between ship and quay wall non of it ends up in the water.

Important to state is that more companies should be subjected to the method in order to get a more clear and complete view on the problem. Also it is wise to count the number of strokes a crane makes during its service time in order to compare the different gripper sizes. The filling rate of the ship's hold could be an important factor because this determines how full a gripper is during movement.


Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
Modified: 2008.01.26; logistics@3mE.tudelft.nl , TU Delft / 3mE / TT / LT.