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Containerized Bulk Material Transportation

A Smarter Logistics Concept

Containerized bulk material handling is an innovative logistics strategy that utilizes standard intermodal sea freight containers as the primary vessel for transporting, storing, and discharging dry bulk solids. Traditionally, bulk materials were shipped in large ocean-going bulk vessels or packed into flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs/big bags) and sacks.

This modern approach transforms a standard container into a mobile silo. By installing a specialized protective liner inside a 20', 40', or 53' container, bulk solids can be loaded directly into the unit. This enables a "Direct-to-Process" supply chain, where material remains sealed and protected from the supplier’s plant to the consumer’s production line without intermediate repackaging or transloading


Tiltless Container Loading

Advanced systems utilize horizontal, multi-directional open screw conveyors to fill the container.Uniform Distribution: The three-directional open screw system pushes the material forward, right, and left to ensure the container is filled evenly until it reaches the back wall.High Capacity: These systems can achieve loading rates of up to 120 tons per hour, allowing a standard container to be filled in approximately 15 minutes.  The patented open screw design pushes product forward with minimum friction, ensuring no particle size degradation.

1. Loading 

You can utilize the loading method according to your needs:

  • Loading from the plant;
  • Direct loading from a silo to a container;
  • Loading from a stockpile to a container;
  • Loading from bulk bags to a bulk truck.

Our innovative solutions offer a range of loading alternatives tailored to handle even the most challenging bulk materials.

Whether it's through vacuum technology, conveyors, or specialized equipment, Polimak provides versatile solutions that ensure efficient and reliable bulk solid transfer.



2. Main-Carriage 

The product is then transported via container shipping, short-sea shipping, train, or standard container chassis, by choosing the most efficient mode of transport.

Transport your bulk solid material in standard ISO containers.

3. Unloading

After arriving at the final destination, the product is unloaded safely using mechanical, horizontal conveying. According to the customer's needs, the unloading can be carried out in the following ways:

  • Discharging the container directly to a silo;
  • Discharging the container to a further production process;
  • Discharging the container to a bulk truck.

Key Advantages of Containerized Transport for Bulk Solids

  • Maximize Payload Efficiency per Shipment
    • Optimizes the use of available cargo space to ensure every shipment carries the highest possible volume.
    • Reduces the number of trips required, reducing overall transport costs.
    • Enhances operational efficiency by maximizing vehicle load capacity.
  • Dust-Free Loading Process
    • Significantly reduces the release of fine particles into the air during loading and unloading.
    • Provides a cleaner working environment, enhancing worker safety and minimizing health risks.
    • Reduces material loss caused by dust dispersion, preserving product quality.
  • Minimization of Particle Degradation
    • Ensures bulk materials remain intact and undamaged during transport.
    • Prevents quality loss by avoiding excessive handling or multiple transfers between different transport modes.
    • Provides consistent protection for sensitive goods with specialized container liners.
  • High Output and Energy-Efficient Operations
    • ISO containers offer a reliable and cost-effective storage and transport solution for bulk commodities.
    • Supports cost reduction by applying energy efficient methods for loading and unloading.
    • Enables higher material flow rates, supporting industries with large-scale, continuous operations.

Value for Suppliers

The overarching goal of our technology is to bridge the commercial and operational gap between raw material producers and end-market consumers. For suppliers, this approach enhances global competitiveness by lowering total logistics costs, enabling entry into new customer bases and international markets. Suppliers benefit from the agility to ship flexible volumes, which allows them to fulfill smaller orders cost-effectively without relying on large-scale bulk vessel schedules. Significant savings are achieved in packaging procurement and recycling, as our methods outperform traditional FIBC bags and sacks in both cost and labor.

Value for Consumers

On the consumer side, the system facilitates a lower total cost of ownership by removing the requirement for specialized, high-cost unloading equipment. Consumers benefit from a streamlined model where raw materials can be moved from transport units directly into processing lines, effectively acting as **"mobile silos"**. This connectivity helps consumers avoid large-scale capital expenditures on permanent infrastructure, such as fixed storage bins. By standardizing the interface between supply and demand, we mitigate the risks of product damage, spillage, and the subsequent cleaning costs inherent in big bag handling

Maximum Cargo Load in Each Shipment

Efficient cargo space utilization.

Dust-Free Loading Process

Reducing the air-to-particle ratio.

Less Particle Degradation 

Enhanced particle quality by avoiding transfer between different modes of transportation.

IDEAL BULK SOLIDS FOR CONTAINER TRANSPORTATION

White Cement


Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃)


Flour


Starch


Zeolite


Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3)


Sugar


Salt


Grains


Coal


Cocoa Powder


Fly Ash