Beaumont -- The Port of Beaumont has unveiled a state-of-the-art cargo facility that is designed to handle export bulk cargo.

Port officials today announced completion of a unique rail-to-ship bulk cargo transfer facility that was developed in a public-private partnership between the port and Trans-Global Solutions, Inc. (TGS/BBT.) TGS/BBT is a private terminal operations company that already handles bulk materials at the port, including wood chips, steel products and aggregate.

The new facility was designed to accommodate a new export commodity, bulk soda ash, but can efficiently handle any free-flowing bulk material, according to Bill Masters, Port Director.

"We are very pleased to announce the completion of this important new facility at the Port of Beaumont, which places us in the forefront of the expanding bulk export market, Masters said. "This new business and new facility were made possible through the cooperation of TGS/BBT, our customer, and the railroads that serve both the supplier of the cargo and the port."

The new rail-to-ship transfer facility is unique in that it is capable of unloading two railcars at a time. This ability will enable the port to discharge 116 average railcars per day, each containing an estimated 90 tons of cargo. This discharge rate will allow 10,000 tons of material to be loaded into a typical bulk carrier vessel.

The new facility was designed, built and installed by TGS/BBT.

Masters noted the rail-to-ship facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art dust suppressor system for environmentally-sound operation. The conveyor serving the facility has dust collection systems designed for 1,500 cubic feet per minute. The loading system, which delivers the cargo into the ship's holds, includes a high-tech loading spout capable of loading and trimming ships even in high river conditions.

For more information, contact Ernest Bezdek or John Roby, Port of Beaumont, or TGS/BBT, 409/839-4888.

• Located at Port of Beaumont and operated by TGS/BBT

• Capable of efficiently handling any free-flowing bulk commodity

• Inclined conveyor to shiploader

• Load rate: 10,000 metric tons per weather working day for single deck bulk carriers

• Discharge rate: 116 cars per day, each containing 90 tons of product

• Will accept two 60 foot railcars, end to end, discharging simultaneously

• Unique shiploader dust suppressor system

  • Environmentally sound transfer operations

  • Loading system includes high-tech loading spout

  • Each conveyor equipped with a 1,500 CFM dust collection system

  • Capable of loading and trimming ship holds in high river conditions

• Rail dump facility and conveyors designed, manufactured and installed by Trans-Global Solutions, Inc.

• Dockage charges assessed by Port of Beaumont according to published tariff rates

• Rail service to facility by four railroads:

  • Burlington Northern-Santa Fe

  • Union Pacific

  • Kansas City Southern

  • Texas-Mexican Railroad