materials transport

[Mark Suplee]

General question regarding industry.
How is bulk material generally transported from storage to a dock for international transport? If the storage location is approximately 10 miles from the dock, is it usually trucked to the dock or transported via pipeline. I imagine for international transport to be cost effective, it would generally be a load significantly larger than a truck tanker's.

 

[1503-44]

Since this is the petroleum forum, I guess you are not talking about coal, rice, wheat, or cement. Bulk materials is not a specific term. Be specific.

By pipeline, if you have one. Or by barge.
By railroad, second choice.
By road tanker. Most expensive.

Any other method involves double or triple handling. Always something to avoid with "bulk shipping and handling" of anything. There is nothing legally permitted on streets larger than road tankers. You might be able to train a couple of them together. Maybe not.

 

[LittleInch]

You will learn few things from such a generic, fact free question like this other than "It depends".

Yes international transport of bulk anything is cheaper the more of it you transport across the seas in one go.

What is your cheapest method will depend on lots of things including quantities, frequency, how many years of operation, room to stockpile, dock space and loading restrictions / depth of the berth, local restrictions etc etc.

Aerial ropeways and conveyors are used commonly for bulk solids (coals, gravel, fertilisers, etc). Pipelines are normally the lowest OPEX for liquids, but can be high CAPEX and are fixed in position.

10 miles / 15km is possibly right on the edge of any number of options including pipes, conveyors, rail or truck so anything could tip the balance one way or the other.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.