The export of components from the decommissioned Murco refinery in Pembrokeshire is now complete, with over 13,000 tonnes of cargo having been transported to southern Asia since the plant closed in 2014.
In all, there were seven exports from Pembroke Port. The last two, which took place just recently, saw the heavy lift vessel Regine loaded with 1,690 tonnes and Maria with 1,125 tonnes of cargo, bound for Pakistan.
The largest item weighed 315 tonnes and measured 21.3m x 8.8 m x 8.3 m.
The Terra Marique barge was positioned at Gelliswick Bay to load the parts that were too large to reach Pembroke Port by road and along the Milford Haven waterway. This specialist operation required sand to be dug out of the beach, as well as the construction of a ramp so that parts could be driven onto the barge when the tide allowed.
In June this year, 2,227 tonnes of cargo was exported on Grietje. The Annemieke, Regine and Frauke carried 4,865 tonnes last year.
In 2017, 3,240 tonnes of cargo was loaded onto the largest vessel ever to visit Pembroke Port, Combi Dock III.
Chris Oliver, operations manager at Pembroke Port, said: “The export of the refinery components from Pembroke Port ran smoothly and efficiently. We deal with a wide range of cargoes on a daily basis but this was definitely one of the larger operations in recent years.”
