Self-discharger

A self-discharger (or self-unloader) is a ship that is able to discharge its cargo using its own gear.

The most common discharge method for bulk cargo is to use an excavator that is fitted on a traverse running over the vessel's entire hatch, and that is able to move sideways as well.

Lake freighters on the Great Lakes use conveyor-based unloading gear to empty funnel-shaped holds from the bottom, lifting the bulk cargo onto a boom.

This engineering-related article is a stub.

You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.