Mediterranean Deep-Water Grain Hub
Investment and technical concept for a large-scale grain import, storage and multimodal distribution terminal.
This publication is based on an original concept developed by DC Marítimo S.L. as an unsolicited project-development proposal. Certain place names and identifying references have been removed for publication. The process logic, capacity assumptions, implementation stages and CAPEX methodology remain substantially unchanged.
10 Mt/year
Target throughput
Up to 2 Mt
Simultaneous storage
USD 340–430 M
Base-case onshore CAPEX
3 phases
Phased implementation
What this concept covers
- Import-oriented grain hub model for a deep-water Mediterranean port.
- Terminal process architecture: vessel discharge, covered conveyors, storage and multimodal dispatch.
- Equipment concept: continuous mechanical ship unloaders, mobile harbour crane, ship loader, road and rail loading systems.
- Storage strategy combining steel silos and roofed flat-storage warehouses.
- Site-land allocation, phased development logic and preliminary order-of-magnitude CAPEX.
DC Marítimo scope
- Concept development and terminal process-flow definition.
- Equipment configuration and storage architecture.
- Preliminary land-use planning and phasing strategy.
- Indicative onshore CAPEX modelling and investment-discussion materials.
- Preparation of a representative concept for discussions with potential partners and authorities.
Key design parameters
| Parameter | Indicative value |
|---|---|
| Location | Deep-water Mediterranean port; location anonymised for publication |
| Purpose | Grain import, storage, domestic distribution, regional transit and sea/coastal onward shipment |
| Annual throughput | 10 Mt/year |
| Cargo mix | Wheat 90%; corn and barley 10% |
| Import vessels | Panamax class, typically 60–80 kt lots; vessels up to 80,000–100,000 DWT |
| Transit vessels | Barges from 500 t, coasters and Handy / Handymax vessels up to 30,000 DWT |
| Discharge design rate | 40,000–50,000 t/day; minimum operational requirement 25,000 t/day |
| Loading design rate | At least 15,000 t/day |
| Storage | Up to 2 Mt simultaneous storage, developed in phases |
| Shipment modes | Trucks, railway wagons, sea/coastal vessels and optional bagging into sacks and big bags |
| Quay-front parameters | Approx. 650–700 m, two berths with parallel-operation capability and minimum 15 m depth alongside |
Marine works, dredging and external transport and utility infrastructure are outside the terminal onshore CAPEX envelope.
Terminal concept and process flow
- Panamax vessel → continuous mechanical ship unloader → covered belt conveyor → distribution tower → steel silos or flat-storage warehouses.
- Stored grain → truck and railway loading stations, sea/coastal shipment, bagging or long-term storage.
- Primary discharge by two mechanical ship unloaders, with a mobile harbour crane, grain grab and hopper providing operational backup and flexibility.
- Onward maritime shipment through a dedicated ship loader serving barges, coasters and Handy-size vessels.
Phased implementation
Phase 1
3–5 Mt/year
500–700 kt storage
USD 180–280 MPhase 2
Expansion of handling and storage
Additional silos and flat storage
Subject to demandFull development
10 Mt/year
Up to 2 Mt storage
USD 340–430 M base caseIndicative CAPEX scenarios
Optimised
USD 293–340 M
Base case
USD 340–430 M
Conservative
USD 430–506 M
Technical illustrations
Selected technical illustrations from the original English-language concept.
Conclusion
The concept demonstrates the technical feasibility of a 10 Mt/year deep-water grain hub with up to 2 Mt of storage, provided that sufficient land, a suitable quay front and stable landside logistics are secured. The proposed model combines continuous mechanical discharge, covered conveyors, steel silos, flat-storage warehouses and multimodal shipment systems.