Abstract: A midstream apparatus for the receipt, sampling, cooling, and blending of coal provides a continuous transfer capability from one or more barges containing coals of various grades to an ocean vessel requiring blended coal meeting given specifications. The apparatus is a barge mounted combination, having a number of receiving hoppers into which coal may be loaded by transfer from a series of supply barges, usually by a barge mounted clam shell bucket. A number of hoppers are provided so that coal from each barge, having a given specification, may be loaded into a single hopper. Each hopper has individually controlled transfer capabilities permitting the blending of coal of different qualities into a continuous stream.