Bulk cargo shiploader is linked with the rear conveyor system. It is the equipment for loading vessels continuously, which mainly deals with coal, ore, cement, grain and other materials in bulk manner.

In accordance with different cargo, bulk cargo shiploader may be classified into these kinds: coal shiploader, ore shiploader, bulk grain shiploader and so on; it also can be classified into fixed type, mobile type, arc-line pendula type and straight-line pendula type according to characteristics of construction of the whole machine.

Bag cargo shiploader is the equipment for loading vessels continuously, which mainly deals with bag cargo. It is mostly used in river harbor dock. The handling material is usually bagged fertilizer and bagged grain.

This article mainly deals with bulk cargo shiploader.

The shiploader (Fig 32-1) is a gantry frame unit traveling with the berth conveyor installed in the berth, equipped with boom conveyor, telescopic chute and some working mechanisms(such as boom shuttling, boom luffing, boom slewing and boom traveling mechanism ), metallic mechanism, driving system and control system

When loading vessels, materials will be firstly carried to the boom conveyor via rear conveyor system, secondly carried to the head of the boom, and lastly carried to the hold of vessels through telescopic chute.