October 16 - A unique heavy lift cargo recently flew itself into the ro-ro terminal at the French port of Le Havre, when an EC 145 helicopter of the country's Civil Protection Service landed on the roof of the building.
Less than 24 hours later, after having been partly dismantled by technicians, the machine had been loaded on board the Hoegh Traveller of Hoegh Autoliners and had set sail for Fort-de-France, the capital of France's Caribbean overseas department of Martinique.
"This type of operation is very sensitive since the EC 145, the value of which is estimated at nearly EUR4 million (USD5.2 million), is a fragile and voluminous helicopter," stated the manager of defence markets at logistics provider SDV, which had coordinated the operation.
"Its handling requires know-how, and the special infrastructures and equipment with which Le Havre is well provided," he added.
A spokesman at Le Havre said the port now handles a heavy lift/out-of-gauge load nearly every day.
www.havre-port.fr
