Bulk carriers load and unload large quantities of iron ore and coal at bulk terminals. The loading and unloading process on the EMO terminal is largely automated, but for the last 5% an excavator is used to remove material stuck on stairs and walls in the hold. This process takes many manhours, can be dangerous, and can cause damage. The research question is: Is it possible to clean the hold of a coal bulk carrier by machine, and have the hold be cleaned faster and with less damage? A design is made, and based on that a test is set up. The results show that higher pressures, closer distances, and certain nozzle types result in better cleaning, without causing damage. The conclusion is that a hold can be cleaned by a machine with less damage, and possibly faster.

At a dry bulk terminal, coal and iron ore are transported in the open air by conveyor belts and handled by large (mainly automated) equipment. The dry bulk material is rough and the equipment is installed in the harsh environment of the harbour. With vessels continuously being unloaded by quay cranes and outgoing vessels and trains being loaded, the conveyor belts make lots of operational hours. With more than 27 kilometers of conveyor belts running at 4.5 m/s it is important these systems are maintained well. To reduce downtime and maintenance cost, a new maintenance strategy will be created. Therefore, different maintenance strategies and methodologies will be explained and the current situation will be investigated. A new maintenance strategy will be created by using the FMECA method (Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis), where malfunctions of the conveyor belt systems will be prioritized according to their criticality. Malfunctions happening during the period of this thesis will be investigated and used as an example to proof the new maintenance strategy works. This strategy is applicable to other equipment and other terminals as well. In the end some future remarks will be discussed to further improve the new maintenance strategy.