Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Italian firm Alberto ALBERT was awarded a project to develop for Italian Logistic firm MOVENDO International the transport of gravels for the concrete to be used during the extension of Panama Canal.
The service began on January and for this are used two sister Chinese hopper barges 91.4m * 24.4m * 5.5m conceived for the transport of basalt gravels in bulk on deck from Pacific Side to Atlantic Side of the Gatun lake.
The system is composed by a standard tug pushing the barge stern by means of a connection properly designed, RINA classed and builded in Panama.
Once loaded on board the gravels by GUPC crushing plant the barge is pushed to Atlantic side berth were the gravels ( 7800t each voyage ) are discharged by means of three conveyors, 700 t/h each, parked on board.
Service was conceived by GUPC designers to last till the end of the work on 2014.
Source: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering