Services

Marine Bulk Handling Services

Four contracted scopes that combine into one transshipment operation — crane, shuttle, stevedores and coordination, all under ABAS management.

Service 01

Floating Crane Transshipment

Grab-fitted floating cranes moored at anchorage transfer cargo from barges into gearless mother vessels. ABAS supplies the crane, the crew, the stevedores and the daily reporting as one contracted scope, so charterers hold a single point of accountability for the discharge window.

  • Gearless mother-vessel loading
  • Draft-survey supervised tonnage
  • 24/7 operations, weather permitting
ABAS floating crane with grab discharging nickel ore to a bulk carrier at Morowali

How it runs

  1. 01

    Pre-fixture planning

    Hatch sequence, grab selection and rate assumptions are agreed against the vessel's stowage plan before the crane mobilises.

  2. 02

    Mooring and rigging

    The crane is positioned alongside the mother vessel with barges made fast on the opposite side for continuous feed.

  3. 03

    Sustained discharge

    Twin slewing cranes work in rotation, 24 hours a day weather permitting, with cycle times logged each shift.

  4. 04

    Trim and draft survey

    Holds are trimmed to the master's satisfaction and an independent surveyor confirms tonnage before departure.

Performance benchmarks

Peak discharge rate
25,000 MT/day
Lifting capacity
up to 35 MT
Grab volume
10 – 18 m³
Vessel classes served
Handysize – Capesize

Service 02

Tug & Barge Services

Own-managed tug and barge sets move cargo from river jetties and coastal terminals to the anchorage window. Because the shuttle is under ABAS control rather than subcontracted, barge arrival is scheduled against the crane's discharge rate instead of the other way round.

  • 300–330 ft deck barges
  • 2 × 800 – 2 × 1,600 HP tugs
  • Inland river and coastal capability
Tug and deck barge marine logistics convoy delivering coal to an Indonesian anchorage

How it runs

  1. 01

    Jetty loading

    Barges are positioned under the loading conveyor or excavator spread and loaded to the declared parcel tonnage.

  2. 02

    River and coastal transit

    Tugs tow to the anchorage on a tide-aware schedule, with draft-limited routing on inland stretches.

  3. 03

    Anchorage rotation

    Loaded and empty barges are rotated alongside the floating crane so discharge never waits on the shuttle.

Performance benchmarks

Barge sizes
270 – 330 ft
Parcel capacity
6,500 – 12,500 MT
Tug power
2 × 800 – 2 × 1,600 HP
Bollard pull
24 – 42 tonnes

Service 03

Stevedoring & Cargo Handling

Trained stevedore crews handle hatch planning, trimming and cargo care for thermal coal, nickel ore and bauxite. Crews work to the charterer's stowage plan and the master's trim instructions, with damage-prevention protocols applied to coamings, hatch covers and deck fittings.

  • Hold trimming and levelling
  • Cargo damage prevention protocol
  • Independent surveyor coordination
Stevedores and grab crane hold trimming bulk cargo aboard a mother vessel at anchorage

How it runs

  1. 01

    Stowage briefing

    Hatch sequence and pour points are walked through with the chief officer at the pre-loading meeting.

  2. 02

    Grab handling and trimming

    Operators work to fill profiles that avoid shifting, with bulldozer trimming where the hold geometry requires it.

  3. 03

    Cargo care and cleanliness

    Spillage is recovered, decks are swept between hatches and cargo residue is managed to the vessel's standard.

Performance benchmarks

Cargoes handled
Coal, nickel ore, bauxite
Crew per crane
19 – 28 incl. supervisors
Shift pattern
2 × 12 hrs, continuous
Surveyor coordination
Independent, per fixture

Service 04

Integrated Marine Logistics

One coordination desk covers port agency, laycan management, documentation and anchorage clearance. Charterers receive a single daily operations report rather than chasing separate agents, surveyors and barge operators for the same numbers.

  • Laycan and demurrage management
  • Port agency and clearance
  • Daily operations reporting
Marine logistics coordination of tugs, barges and floating cranes across Kalimantan anchorages

How it runs

  1. 01

    Laycan and nomination

    Vessel nomination, laycan windows and anchorage slots are held and confirmed against the shipment programme.

  2. 02

    Agency and clearance

    Port agency, harbourmaster clearance and customs documentation are handled locally at each operating anchorage.

  3. 03

    Daily reporting

    Tonnage discharged, remaining balance, weather downtime and projected completion issued every morning.

Performance benchmarks

Operating anchorages
6 across Kalimantan & Sulawesi
Reporting cadence
Daily, 08:00 WITA
Demurrage management
Laytime tracked per fixture
Response time
Enquiry to indication in 24 hrs

Need a rate for your next parcel?

Send cargo, tonnage and laycan — the chartering desk returns an indication in under 4 hours.