KUALA LUMPUR: Vale has deployed an autonomous grab ship unloader in the Teluk Rubiah Maritime Terminal (TRMT), marking the first for the group globally and first-ever in Asia.
Chief executive officer Rodrigo Ribeiro de Araújo said the implementation of the autonomous grab ship unloader allowed Vale to de-risk its operations, enhancing TRMT's proposition as a safe and reliable operator.
"This is in line with Vale's global strategy to become one of the world's safest and most reliable mining companies," said de Araujo in a statement.
The mining company said the solution is expected to move 85 per cent of its operations volume at TRMT autonomously, providing stability, reducing costs in the long term, and improving efficiencies.
It said the autonomous grab ship unloader technology was designed to address various challenges faced by workers, including exhaustion, risk of machine breakdowns, and human-induced delays at TRMT.
"The unloader was also fitted to handle Valemax; one of the world's largest and most efficient bulk carriers. Designed to handle up to 30 million tonnes of iron ore, TRMT is the largest single foreign direct investment (FDI) in the state of Perak," de Araujo said.
The terminal is run by a workforce made up of 97 per cent Malaysians, with over 60 per cent from Manjung.
The implementation of the autonomous grab ship unloader in Vale's operation is also made possible through collaborations with local and international partners, which include iSAM from Germany, Meinhardt EPCM and Everconsult Sdn Bhd.
"We look forward to even more opportunities to collaborate with local and international technology providers. We aim to introduce future-ready solutions that can support TRMT's role as an integral component of Vale's strategy in Asia – the world's largest iron ore market," de Araujo added.