Summary：Explore leading ship loader manufacturers and compare technologies, capacities, and solutions for efficient bulk material handling at modern ports.

In the global supply chain, the efficiency of a port can determine the profitability of an entire mining or industrial operation. At the heart of this efficiency lies the Ship Loader—a critical piece of bulk material handling equipment designed to transfer dry bulk cargo seamlessly from land-based conveyor systems onto ocean-going vessels.

As global demand for minerals, coal, grain, and other bulk commodities continues to grow, modern ship loaders must deliver high capacity, operational reliability, environmental compliance, and advanced automation. Today’s leading ship loader manufacturers are no longer simply equipment suppliers; they are technology partners helping ports and terminals achieve higher productivity, lower emissions, and long-term operational resilience.

Below is a curated overview of the top 10 world-class ship loader manufacturers shaping the future of bulk material handling worldwide.

Manufacturer Headquarters Founded Ship Loader Type Key Strengths Typical Applications
FLSmidth Copenhagen, Denmark 1882 Belt & pneumatic ship loaders Integrated systems, advanced automation Large mining and export terminals
Telestack Ireland / UK 1999 Mobile & telescopic ship loaders High flexibility, rapid deployment Temporary and modular port terminals
Sandvik Stockholm, Sweden 1862 Customized bulk handling loaders Durability, automation integration Harsh bulk handling environments
AMECO Group Europe 1932 Belt conveyor ship loaders Robust design, low maintenance Coal, grain and potash terminals
SBM Shanghai, China 1987 Radial & telescopic ship loaders Cost-effective, customizable solutions Coal, ore, grain and bulk cargo ports
Liebherr Group Bulle, Switzerland 1949 Crane-based ship loaders Precision engineering, global service Multi-purpose port terminals
Bruks Siwertell Sweden Early 20th century Screw, belt & aeroslide loaders Low dust, enclosed loading systems Grain, fertilizer and cement ports
ThyssenKrupp AG Essen & Duisburg, Germany 1999 Heavy-duty belt ship loaders EPC capability, high reliability Large deep-sea bulk terminals
Thor Global Mississauga, Canada 1969 Telescopic & radial conveyors Simple design, low maintenance Flexible ship loading operations
Bruks Siwertell Group Stockholm, Sweden Mid-20th century Enclosed conveyor ship loaders Environmental performance, automation Modern green port terminals

1. FLSmidth (Denmark)

Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark

Founded: 1882

FLSmidth is a globally recognized supplier of engineering solutions for the mining, cement, and bulk materials industries. Its ship loaders are typically delivered as part of fully integrated bulk material handling systems, designed for high-capacity, continuous operation in demanding industrial environments.

  • Mechanical and pneumatic ship loading systems
  • Integrated mining and port bulk handling solutions
  • Advanced automation for remote operation and monitoring
  • Serving coal, ore, mineral, and bulk commodity ports worldwide

2. Telestack Ltd. (UK / Ireland)

Headquarters: Omagh, Northern Ireland, UK

Founded: 1999

Telestack is a leading manufacturer of mobile bulk material handling equipment, best known for flexible and rapidly deployable ship loading solutions. Its mobile ship loaders and telescopic conveyors are ideal for ports with changing cargo profiles or limited infrastructure.

  • Mobile and modular ship loader solutions
  • Fast setup and redeployment
  • Modular designs supporting future expansion
  • Used in ports with variable cargo volumes

3. Sandvik (Sweden)

Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden

Founded: 1862

Sandvik is a global engineering group known for mining equipment and advanced materials technology. Its bulk handling solutions support ship loading operations in harsh environments handling abrasive materials.

  • Customizable solutions for multiple bulk materials
  • High reliability in demanding port operations
  • Automation and digital monitoring integration

4. AMECO Group (Europe)

Headquarters: Europe

Founded: 1932

AMECO is a well-established European manufacturer specializing in bulk material handling systems, including ship loaders for coal, grain, woodchips, and potash. Its equipment emphasizes simplicity, durability, and long service life.

  • Robust and reliable equipment reputation
  • Wide range of bulk cargo applications
  • Stationary and customized ship loader designs
  • Low maintenance and long operating life

5. SBM (China)

Headquarters: Shanghai, China

Founded: 1987

SBM is a major Chinese manufacturer specializing in mining and bulk material handling equipment. In addition to crushers and conveyors, SBM provides ship loaders and integrated dockside bulk material handling systems for ports worldwide.

  • Radial and telescopic ship loader designs
  • Flexible configurations for multiple vessel sizes
  • Dust suppression and sealed transfer systems
  • Large-scale manufacturing and customization capability
  • Sales and service network in 180+ countries
Ship Loader

6. Liebherr Group (Switzerland)

Headquarters: Bulle, Switzerland

Founded: 1949

Liebherr is a premium European heavy-equipment manufacturer renowned for port cranes and ship loaders with high precision and durability.

  • Swiss-German engineering excellence
  • Smooth and precise material handling
  • Global service and support network
  • Energy-efficient and environmentally compliant designs

7. Bruks Siwertell (Sweden)

Headquarters: Sweden

Founded: Early 20th century

Bruks Siwertell specializes in enclosed ship loading technologies using screw, belt, and aeroslide conveyors, focusing on high throughput and low environmental impact.

  • Screw, belt, and aeroslide ship loaders
  • Capacities up to 12,000 t/h
  • Ideal for dusty and sensitive bulk materials
  • Installations across global markets

8. ThyssenKrupp AG (Germany)

Headquarters: Essen & Duisburg, Germany

Founded: 1999

ThyssenKrupp supplies heavy-duty ship loaders for large deep-sea bulk terminals, emphasizing automation, precision engineering, and long-term reliability.

  • Heavy-duty ship loaders for major ports
  • PLC-based automation and control systems
  • Global EPC project experience
  • Advanced environmental control solutions

9. Thor Global Enterprises Ltd. (Canada)

Headquarters: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Founded: 1969

Thor Global is known for telescopic and radial conveyor systems widely used in ship loading and stockpiling operations.

  • Telescopic and radial conveyor expertise
  • Simple, durable, low-maintenance designs
  • Suitable for ship loading and bulk transfer
  • Equipment operating worldwide

10. Bruks Siwertell Group (Global)

Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden

Founded: Mid-20th century

Bruks Siwertell Group delivers enclosed ship loaders and complete bulk material handling systems with a strong focus on environmental performance and operational efficiency.

  • Versatile conveyor technologies
  • Global installations and references
  • Enclosed systems minimizing dust and spillage
  • Operator-focused automation and control

Selection Considerations for Port Operators

  • 1. Total cost of ownership beyond initial capital investment
  • 2. Alignment with long-term terminal development plans
  • 3. Operational flexibility for varying cargo and vessel sizes
  • 4. Environmental compliance and future regulations
  • 5. Local service support and spare parts availability
  • 6. Digital integration with terminal control systems
  • 7. Training, commissioning, and lifecycle support

The Future of Ship Loading

The ship loading industry is advancing toward greater automation, digital integration, and sustainability. Leading manufacturers are investing in smart technologies such as remote operation, predictive maintenance, and data-driven optimization.

At SBM, we are proud to contribute to this evolution by delivering adaptable ship loader solutions that combine engineering flexibility, technological innovation, and value-focused design.

For more information about SBM ship loader solutions or to discuss your project requirements, please visit our website or contact our technical team.