France Cargo Complete Heavy Transportation
16th December 2013
France Cargo International SA, who joined PCN in February 2012 as a representative in France, are proud to report on their latest project shipments.
Mr Denis Mandil, Chairman of France Cargo explains; "During August and September we carried out several heavy transportations. We chartered one full vessel ex Macon to Antwerp and to catch and load the master vessel going to south Korea Busan (Breakbulk loading). Client Hyudnai Heavy Industries for Total Nigeria and for National Oilwell Varco. Ex G.E – Thermodyn and NOV.Macon is a river port and there is approx. 05 days sailing up to Fos and approximately 15 bridges to sail through, instead of using a barge and having additional handling fees at Fos for loading to another vessel we decided to use a special Coaster vessel able to sail on the river with low draft. We had to combine to load the cargo of two suppliers in one coaster river vessel. This is a special vessel able to sail on river and in the sea. The hydraulic castle can be lifted up or lifted down when sailing under the river bridges. There were 18 packages including the biggest and heaviest as follows:
- 01 compressor: 1648 x 452 x 531 cm 107 t 700
- 01 compressor: 1648 x 452 x 531 cm 107 t 700
- 01 transfo: 869 x 406 x 416 cm 47 t 050
- Crane part 2820 x 240 x 300 cm 21 t 500
- Crane part 480 x 400 x 405 cm 18 t 000
The challenge was to load all cargo on the same vessel leaving enough space for lashing and welding. Another challenge was to finish the work of loading securing, lashing and welding before the water level increased too much for the vessel to be able to sail through the 15 bridges up to Fos sur Mer. That is why it took two days for loading and one full night for lashing and welding, we were speedy because the water level increased so quickly and had to get the captains agreement to depart for Fos sur Mer.
So after all we succeeded! and as Macon is a great wine area we took this opportunity to have much celebrations with all suppliers staff, dockers and cranes, truck staff!!" The pictures are of the loading at Macon and Antwerp.
