12 Jul 2021
Höegh Ships 45m Rotor Blades from Spain to Australia
Topics: 45m Rotor Blades, DSV Projects Portugal, Höegh Autoliners, Höegh Trotter, New Horizon vessels, Portugal, Santander, Spain
In the battle against climate change, worldwide demand for renewable energy is rising rapidly; particularly wind energy.
DSV Projects Portugal needed to transport three 45-metre long rotor blades from Portugal for a wind farm in Australia, Höegh Autoliners were entrusted to ship this long cargo. Not only were the rotor blades themselves very long, but they were also very delicate and needed a customised solution to ensure its safe transportation.
Due to the project deadline, Höegh’s dependable liner service from Spain to Australia offered the customer the most reliable ocean transport. Pablo Guerrero, Sales Manager for Höegh Autoliners in Spain explains,”Additionally, our New Horizon vessels sailing in this trade, provide a wider ramp capacity than other vessels, and safe underdeck stowage which is an advantage when transporting these unusually long sensitive cargoes.”
With the rotor blades located in Portugal, DSV Projects Portugal transported them overland by road trailer to Santander, Spain for the ocean voyage to Australia.
Due to the length of the rotor blades, it was not possible to transport it on our rolltrailers. The solution was to drive the rotor blades onboard the vessel with the road trailer they were transported on. Once inside, they would be placed directly on the vessel’s deck. With a combined total length of 50 metres, this required the cargo operations team to come up with a solution to ensure the operation was as safe as possible.
These types of large breakbulk shipments require the cargo operations team to prepare and plan well before the loading operations takes place, to ensure the operation is as safe as possible.
Cargo Superintendent Roger Duran explains, “This is where our competence and experience with oversized cargo is put to the test. Our solution was based on a concept we used previously to successfully ship 33-metre long wind blades; fitting extra beams, specific to the shape of the cargo to provide additional support during both the loading and ocean transportation.”
The rotor blades were safely loaded onboard Höegh Trotter where further lashings were added to secure the long and sensitive cargo during its ocean transport to Melbourne.
Source Höegh Autoliners
