This week's round up of news from the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.
Next week will see thousands of industry professionals descend on the Belgian city of Antwerp for Breakbulk Europe 2015 - the largest exhibition dedicated to the world of heavy lift, project and breakbulk cargo.
Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, the event will provide a chance for those involved in the industry to network, do business, meet like-minded professionals from around the world and make long-lasting friends.
Over 6,500 delegates and exhibitors are expected to attend the show, and many of the exhibitors are preparing special events as a mark of optimism for the sector.
HLPFI will be there and looks forward to catching up with old friends to hear what they have to say about the current state and future prospects for the sector. Contact editorial director, Ian Matheson, if you would like to set up a one-to-one meeting with one of the HLPFI team at the event.
In business
The Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC) has raised a record USD40,000 during its charity auction at the network's 15th annual conference in Fuengirola, Spain.
Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has rebranded itself as Abu Dhabi Ports, with a new corporate identity to match the change.
TTS Group sees Q1 improvements
TTS Group posted an operating profit (EBITDA) of NOK600,000 (USD80,500) in the first quarter of 2015, compared with a loss of NOK38.4 mn (USD5.1 mn) in the same period of 2014.
AAL joins hands with Peter Döhle
Multipurpose carriers AAL and Peter Döhle have launched a new global cooperation to offer joint tramp and project cargo services to the market.
Contractual obligations
Enerpac assists Reunion ring road
Enerpac has been awarded a contract to build the world's largest offshore overhead gantry crane for the French consortium responsible for the new road around Reunion Island.
Blue Water Shipping and National Oilwell Varco Denmark (NOV) have agreed to a contract covering transport movements from France.
Capacity developments
Tycan chains gain wide acclaim
In collaboration with DSM Dyneema, Load Solutions will officially launch its lightweight synthetic Tycan chain at the Breakbulk Europe exhibition in Antwerp next week.
Installation innovation from Conquest
Conquest Offshore has presented its advanced system for the installation of monopiles, transition pieces and pre-piling onboard the crane barge Conquest MB1.
Liebherr sings Anthem of the Seas
Gertzen has used two Liebherr mobile cranes to install the funnel casing and viewing gondola on the cruise ship, Anthem of Seas, at Germany's Papenburger Meyer shipyard.
Shipment of the week
Chapman Freeborn Airchartering and Volga-Dnepr Airlines have worked together to deliver a time-critical outsize rotor from Switzerland to Brazil onboard an IL-76TD-90VD aircraft.
On the move
Braemar Adjusting has appointed Ian McInroy as its new regional managing director of Europe and West Africa.
Network and association developments
The Cargo Equipment Experts (CEE) network added a new member in Hungary, Herczegh Specialtransport (HST).
Nurminen Logistics joined the XLProjects (XLP) network as a new representative in Finland.
All about Evie
Evie has been busy hearing this week about a number of project forwarding network conferences taking place ahead of next week's Breakbulk Europe conference in Antwerp.
While HLPFI's Joe Hickey took part in the WCA Projects conference in Prague, staff writer Annie Roberts was lucky enough to visit Fuengirola, Spain for the WWPC's 15th annual membership conference, which was a record-breaking event for the network.
Conference host Kaleido Logistics put on a party to remember last night complete with a Tina Turner tribute act. Simply the best.
Elsewhere, the Project Professionals Group's (PPG) annual conference took place from May 13-15 in the beautiful Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
HLPFI's David Kershaw was in attendance and is pleased to report the event was a resounding success, with network members old and new strengthening ties over a varied conference programme, one-to-one meetings, and just a couple of cocktails.
Evie also congratulates Höegh Autoliners for news that its next generation PCTC vessel, New Horizon, has been nominated for the Nor-Shipping Energy Efficiency Award.
