More than just unloaders

For example Cemex says that it often runs smaller, 4,000 tonne pneumatic ships that simply pump out cement straight into a port-based silo via a set of pressurised ‘hoses’.

And to get away from the problem entirely, Dacro, who make huge liners for containers, say that, depending on volume and circumstances, this is can actually be a competitive route.

For a start it gets around the need for a bulk ship hold, while innovations like inflating corners that help funnel out residual bulk make for an easy discharge of contents.