Working on behalf of the Snapper Mineral Sands Project in Northern New South Wales, Australia, and with a tight schedule and window of opportunity, Westlink Logistics has seamlessly managed the uplifting and transportation of ten large pontoons from Indonesia through the Port of Adelaide to Pooncarie in southwestern New South Wales.
Weighing in at 75 tons each, and with dimensions of 32.0 x 6.0 x 3.77 metres, transporting the pontoons posed the Westlink Logistics’ team a number of interesting physical challenges which were all passed with flying colours – thanks to professionalism, careful planning and a number of pre-visits to the Indonesian manufacturers and load out facilities to ensure that all contingencies were covered. For example, since the chartered vessel was to be moored several kilometres offshore, it was necessary to use barges and tugs to transport the pontoons within reach of the ship’s hooks. In order to meet stringent AQIS standards, the pontoons and barges had to be thoroughly cleaned and inspected by Westlink’s team before the process could commence.
The scheduling issues were compounded by unforseen circumstances which led to a delay of two weeks at the manufacturing plant. Quick thinking by Westlink’s Mike Maxwell and his colleagues, a lateral approach to problem solving and robust negotiation skills were required to ensure that the chartered vessel (which had its own schedules to meet) did not leave without the cargo. As a result, the pontoons were stowed and shipped partly completed, and once the cargo was safely unloaded, Westlink arranged for a lay down area to be made available at the Port of Adelaide so that fabrication could be finished in Australia – thus saving the client thousands of dollars.
The final stage, uplifting the finished pontoons onto transporters with steerable jinkers, and negotiating a carefully planned route with police escort from Adelaide through to Pooncarie in New South Wales was accomplished without a hitch. For Trent Robson, Westlink Logistics’ General Manager, and his team of professionals, the job is not just about the cargo, its size, fragility and dimensions. And the shipping component is certainly only part of the equation. It’s all about looking at the challenges involved at the macro level, and planning for all the micro issues along the way.
“Timing, reliability and close control of the cargo on its journey was paramount for the client. The shipping program that we developed included a dedicated, direct charter voyage. We closely managed all aspects from the point of collection right through to ultimate delivery on site,” said Robson, “As a result of our success in handling the first shipment, we have subsequently been awarded the contract to transport 200 smaller float line pontoons for the same project. By delivering the goods as well as the promises, Westlink has developed a strong tradition in gaining repeat business.”
Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN)
The Global Project Logistics Network is the premier non-exclusive professional projects logistics network of independent companies specializing in international projects movements by air, sea and land as well as specialized lifts and the special handling of oversized, out-of-gauge and heavy lift cargo.
Website:
Local Support – Global Reach!
Follow GPLN on Twitter!
-
-
image00313
-
-
3
