Advance shows its bottle in Poland

The multi-million dollar complex has been designed by MHI, which is supplying the most important items of equipment to PKN Orlen, Poland's largest oil refining and petrochemical company. PKN Orlen is responsible for developing the facility, which is set to be operational by the end of this year. The plant is being constructed at Wloclawek, 160km from Warsaw and is set to produce around 600,000 tonnes of PTA when operational.

Acting as the general contractor for all cargo forwarding, port handling, Customs clearance and inland delivery to the construction site, Advance International is co-ordinating movements by road, rail and barge. The total weight of material and imported machinery will exceed 370,000 tonnes, including more than 250 individual shipments of over dimensional and heavyweight items. 

Advance has overseen the shipment and discharge at the Port of Gdansk of many over-dimensional cargoes destined for the new facility. These have included a slurry heater, dryer gas scrubber and dryer shell. At 176 tonnes, the dryer shell was the heaviest item carried. All items are being transported to the site of the new facility by barge or pontoon. 

PTA is used in the manufacture of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles used for water and soft drinks. The main machinery and equipment for the project originates in Japan while ancillary equipment is being brought from Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Italy, South Korea, UK, USA and other countries. 

Commenting on the project, Jawad Kamel, Advance International's President and CEO, said: "This latest contract builds on Advance's long-established and successful relationship with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and we are delighted to be involved in such an important and complex transportation management project. Our contribution will allow managers to bring the plant on stream by the end of this year. 

"The fact that the plastic produced by this plant is recyclable is even better news for the environment in Poland and the world in general. I am pleased that the demand for PET bottles is so strong that PKN Orlen has committed a significant investment to such a plant. 

"We are bringing the majority of the freight consignments through Gdansk, using inland waterways for delivery of some consignments to the plant site. Some material is being brought from Western Europe overland or by sea, while other items is arriving by air at Warsaw airport. This project, like others we have undertaken for MHI, clearly demonstrates how the modern construction industry is a truly global affair and that project forwarders such as Advance must be willing and able to work on a global basis. 

"This project started late last year and shipments of the main heavy items of equipment will be completed by the end of the 3rd quarter of this year."