Anatomy of a Self-Unloader

CSLI’s self-unloaders operate with a mix of high-tech and simple gravity.  The cargo falls through controlled hydraulic gates onto conveyor belts located beneath the holds.  The belts carry the cargo toward the stern of the ship where it’s transferred to an elevating system and lifted toward deck level. Once there, it is released onto the discharge boom, which is slewed to either port or starboard - up to 65 metres from the side of the ship, and then is off-loaded to the shore, either directly onto a stockpile or into a receiving facility.

The Hybrid Self-unloading vessels discharge using a mechanism, mostly cranes.  They lift the cargo and discharge into hoppers on the deck.  A series of conveyors mounted on the deck carry the cargo to the discharge boom, where the cargo is ultimately discharged to a single point on shore.

The video below shows one type of CSL International self-unloader, Forebody class.