March 2 - Rickmers-Linie and Bertling Logistics have teamed up to transport the largest gas turbine ever manufactured by Siemens from Germany to Turkey.
The 485-tonne turbine and supporting accessories were loaded from a barge on to the 30,000 dwt heavy lift vessel, Rickmers Hamburg, at the Port of Bremerhaven. It was the first time a vessel of this class had called at the German port, stated Rickmers-Linie.
The consignment was the first of four shipments to be handled by Rickmers for a gas power plant under construction close to Lüleburgaz in the northwest of Turkey, which is scheduled for completion by summer 2017. This shipment was discharged at the Port of Tekirdag, southwest of Istanbul.
Navitrans, agent of Rickmers-Linie in Turkey, secured this shipment from Bertling's Istanbul office, which is coordinating logistics for this part of the power plant project.
Bremerhaven is the city where Clasen Rickmers established his shipyard in 1834. Dirk Gindl, general manager sales Germany at Rickmers-Linie commented on the loading operation: "Due to the weight of the cargo and the (for us) historic background of the location, this was not just like any other port call. Of course, no loading operation is ever exactly like another and it is never a routine. As always, thorough preparation, taking into consideration the value, size and weight of the cargo, was key to ensure a smooth and safe operation."
