Economics of self unloader with emphasis on thermal coal shipping business

This study is basically relevant to the introduction of Self-unloading Bulk Carriers. Self-unloading Bulk Carriers (SULS) are specialized types of dry bulk carrier vessels, principally because these ships discharge their cargoes without the assistance of external sources. However, this study also addresses and mitigates the associated improvements in the Thermal Coal Shipping Business that increases the ship's lightweight with the possibility of increasing deadweight.

The primary objectives were to support India's industrial and economic development by establishing an economic and efficient transportation link involving the transport of coal via a rail-cum-sea route from Talcher coalfields in Orissa to thermal power plants in the state of Tamil Nadu. The secondary objectives were to analyse efficiency, productivity and profitability of the Self Unloader with respect to the Conventional Bulk Carrier. This provides an invaluable insight into potential future shipping profitability between the Conventional and Self unloading bulk carriers.

Self-unloader Bulk Carriers discharging concept is explained in detail, highlighting the comparison with the conventional bulk carriers and SULS. However, the Self unloader vessels continue to have improved flexibility and to be more versatile, when unloading their cargoes independently. The inherent trading/operational advantages and disadvantages of SULS are presented. Nevertheless, the merits of SULS outweigh the weakness, when unloading dry bulk cargoes with SULS versus the ordinary bulk carriers. The obvious benefits relevant to discharging dry bulk cargoes with these types of vessels, are the unloading adaptability that requires no assistance from any shore-based installation. This was the original design concept, which remains true to this day. Some of the primary disadvantages with SULS are loss of cargo capacity; increased lightweight and total displacement; high vertical centre of gravity; increased manning and higher capital cost. However, in spite of these shortcomings, these classes of vessels are categorically regarded as the hardest working vessels in water transport of the Thermal coal Shipping Business. Based on the number of voyages and cargo capacity discharged annually by SULS when involved with short trades, Self-unloading Bulk Carriers Vessels have demonstrated the greatest earning power in marine transportation of the Thermal coal Shipping Business.

Undoubtedly, Self-unloading Bulk Carriers Vessels (SULS) have played an important role in the Thermal coal Shipping Business. SULS vessels have served the purpose for which they were designed to achieve, primarily to discharge dry bulk cargoes rapidly to undeveloped ports.