Macawber Engineering group, Maryville, Tenn., a world leader in the field of pneumatic coal conveying, has been awarded another project for coal conveying equipment onboard the new generation of coal-fired ships. Macawber has now been awarded all the coal conveying business so far placed for the new coal-fired ships, which are seen by the shipping world as a major technological step forward.
The latest project is worth $1 million. A letter of intent has been signed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan for complete Macawber Denseveyor pneumatic coal conveying systems for two 75,000-dwt cargo carriers currently building for the Australian National Line. When in service the carriers will carry coal from Weiper to Gladstone on a dedicated route off the Northeast Coast of Australia.
The Macawber Systems will comprise a series of six model 8/10 Denseveyors with individual 5-inch nominal bore pipeline that will transfer coal at the rate of 12 tons per hour from the ships' main bunkers to feed hoppers located over the boilers.
The announcement of the latest project comes only two months after Macawber was awarded the world's first contract for coal conveying equipment of this type for marine applications. That was also a $1-million plus contract and was for two 75,000-dwt ore carriers currently being built in the Monfacone Yard of Italcantieri in Italy.