Worker at Grain Export Terminal Suffocated in Bulk Cargo Collapse [Rosario Port, Argentina – 16 November 2023]
![Worker at Grain Export Terminal Suffocated in Bulk Cargo Collapse [Rosario Port, Argentina – 16 November 2023]](https://www.blueoceana.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/401650332_2299981840195961_5947072603006479721_n-623x200.jpg)
Last Thursday (16 November) morning, the Louis Dreyfus export grain terminal lost a worker owing to an industrial accident. Sr. Oscar Ortubia, 58, was within one of the Paraná River terminal’s grain silos using an industrial truck capable of excavating and shifting cargo within that structure.
During his work the piled cargo above him became unstable and collapsed onto the worker, burying Sr. Ortubia beneath a mountain of the export product. He was pushed onto a moving conveyor belt by the flow of the collapse, where he was found dead by responding personnel: a victim of suffocation.
Owned by SACEIF LOUIS DREYFUS, this inland river terminal has 2 berths: Northern Berth for grain and by-products, and Southern Berth for vegetable oil only. The grain berth, of reinforced concrete, is in relatively deep water 250 meters off-shore, with an inclined loading conveyor belt and a viaduct of steel lattice work on concrete pilings connecting it to the terminal. This berth consists of 4 dolphins, overall length 140 meters with 2 outlying mooring dolphins, 75 meters ahead and astern. It has capability to receive Cape size vessels. The loading gallery is supported by 3 vertical towers built alongside the dolphins one loading arm each. The loading arms, which are lowered/swung out over the vessel have 25 meters outreach and are fitted with adjustable vertical chutes at their ends, which in turn are fitted with rotating spoons making these units multi-directional. Loading rate from 2 belt lines is 2,800 MT/H for grain and 1,500 MT/H for by-products. The berth is fitted with a 12’’ vegtable oil pipeline giving a 1,000 MT/H loading rate. Grain storage at the plant is 1,100,000 MT and 91,000 MT for vegetable oil, with ability to receive railway wagons and trucks. Depth alongside the berth is reportedly 12/20 meters North/South ends at datum and clearance at datum 24 meters.
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