This week's round up of news from the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.

A report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) this week suggested that there is little benefit to developing shipping infrastructure in the Arctic.

The GAO was asked to produce the report in response to decreasing seasonal sea ice opening up Arctic waters for longer periods, resulting in potential economic opportunities in commercial shipping, cruises, commercial fishing, oil and mining.

The organisation argued that deepwater ports, mapping and other infrastructure improvements will only go so far in attracting more ships, and Arctic routes would be only seasonal, whereas most shipping operators need steady, year-round schedules.

This week's Friday Flyer is sponsored by Express Global Logistics (EXG). Established in 1946, EXG's Pan India set up is supported by a global project handling network that offers professional services in the field of project transportation and forwarding. EXG also excels in the supply of material handling equipment, site handling, plant and machinery erection and sensitive cargo handling.


In the corporate world

Hunt & Palmer Cargo Charters appointed Wexco Group as its general sales agent for Australia and New Zealand.

Martin Bencher acquired Copenhagen based tti Logistics ApS.

Air Charter Service chartered aircraft carrying a total of 31,172 tonnes of cargo during 2013.

Saudia Cargo signed a five-year agreement with Swissport to handle its full freighter operations in Brussels and Amsterdam.

Cargolux posted a full year net profit of USD8.4 million in 2013 compared with a USD35.1 million net loss in 2012.

The Port of Antwerp saw Q1 2014 conventional breakbulk traffic fall 9.1 percent year-on-year over the same period of 2013.

Ocean 7 Projects has appointed TSL Shipping & Trading as its exclusive commercial booking agent for the Americas.


Capacity developments

The Port of Rotterdam Authority and TPK Logistica signed a joint venture for the development of Porto Central in Brazil.

Jack-Up Barge acquired an Odin self-elevating platform from
Hochtief.

Samson and United Offshore Services (UOS) have partnered up to supply Samson's synthetic rope products to Europe.

S.V.M.M became the first French company to receive a new Terex Explorer 5800 all terrain crane.

Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) has launched a general cargo ro-ro service in its terminal at the port of Santos.

Transfennica Iberia is adding twice-weekly direct calls at Portsmouth to its Bilbao - Zeebrugge service from May 13.

Mammoet will introduce its new versatile ballast system during the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston from May 5-8.


Shipments of the week

KALEIDO chartered two multipurpose vessels to transport 38,000 cu m of wind mill components (pictured top right) for the Baffin wind farm, including 75 blades and 47 sets of hubs, from China to the USA.

Van der Vlist transported three parts for a large telescope (pictured second right) over 2,500 km from St Petersburg to Zelenchukskaya, with the heaviest unit weighing 23.15 tonnes.

In Solwezi, Zambia, Vanguard lifted a 1,197-tonne conveyor section 40 m from the ground into its final position using four 400-tonne strand jacks in a synchronised lift.

CFNR transported five over-dimensional tanks from Hengelo to Ludwigshafen, via inland waterways (pictured bottom right).

Other notable projects reported by HLPFI this week can be seen on the archive news area of our website.

Got some shipment news of your own? Send it in to editorial@heavyliftpfi.com


Capital projects and contracts

ICA Fluor contracted TAG Pipelines for the EPC, testing, commissioning and start-up of the 291.7 km Ramones II Sur Gas Pipeline.

GE has proposed to purchase Alstom's thermal power, renewable energy and electricity grid businesses for USD13.5 billion.

Saipem has won an offshore engineering and construction contract for the Stage 2 development of the Shah Deniz field in Azerbaijan, valued at approximately USD1.8 billion.

For a fuller round up of capital projects and contracts announced this week please visit the HLPFI website or contact David Kershaw


On the move

Ron Widdows stepped down from his position as chief executive officer (ceo) of Rickmers Group, and Ulrich Ulrichs has been appointed to take over the Rickmers-Linie ceo position. JAXPORT appointed Franklin Camp (pictured right) to the port's sales and marketing team as director of non-containerised sales.


Network news

The Project Partners network appointed Airfreight Worldwide as a new member for the UK, while HLI Logistics LLC joined the Cargo Equipment Experts (CEE) network representing New Jersey, USA. The Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN) added RRL Logistics Europe, with its offices in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan, to its ranks. The Project Cargo Network (PCN) welcomed two new members: Saudi Arabia's Paragon Shipping & Logistics, and Paraguay's VVM Cargo.


All about Evie

Evie congratulates Fagioli, Omega Morgan and Barnhart for snatching up the three prizes for SC&RA's Rigging Job of the Year at its annual awards ceremony.

Also claiming prizes were Berard Transport, Northwest Crane Service and Precision Heavy Haul Inc. in the Hauling Job of the Year competition, for three exceptional moves across North America.

 

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