GAC Singapore recently concluded a major air and sea freight charter using four of the world’s largest long-range heavy transport aircraft, the Antonov AN 124, to move six huge gas compressors from Europe to Southeast Asia.

The Antonov AN124 is 68.96 metres long – the width of a standard soccer pitch, and stands 20.78 metres high – almost the height of a seven-storey building, with a maximum payload of 230,000 kgs – the combined weight of nearly 165 average family saloon cars.

The MAN Turbo gas compressors, plus tools and accessories, were air freighted from the manufacturers facilities in Germany and Switzerland to Singapore and were barged over to Batam, Indonesia, for installation on to the topside module of the FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage & Offloading) Vessel Cidade de Sao Mateus.

“GAC Singapore is extremely happy that we delivered on our promise to Prosafe Productions Singapore,” said Jorgen Nielsen, GAC Singapore’s Business Manager for Logistics services.

"This was an extremely delicate operation demanding complete co-ordination from all GAC staff in our offices in Singapore and Europe, the supplier’s factory in Europe, and the client’s staff in Batam.”

“Each gas compressor unit is 10 metres long and each weighing 50,000 kgs. The only way we could airfreight them into Singapore was to use one of the world’s largest heavy transport aircraft available, the Antonov AN 124,” Jorgen added.

He said this was the first time that Prosafe Productions was using the Antonov AN124 super freighter to move these massive compressors and there was some degree of apprehension.

“The entire operation demanded clockwork co-operation between all parties and GAC staff were on hand from point to point to ensure delivery on time to meet Prosafe Productions’ tight deadlines. If the compressors failed to reach their destination on time, production schedules would have been compromised,” he explained.

Jorgen said that in addition to the air component from Europe to Singapore, GAC Singapore arranged for special heavy-lift cranes and low-loader transporters to move the compressors from Singapore Changi Airport to the Singapore port for loading on to special barges for the sea journey across the Straits of Singapore to Batam, Indonesia. This was achieved through an overnight exercise.

“At every stage of the operation, we were conscious of the need to bring in the GAC Group’s committed disciplines of HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, & Environment) to ensure mission success.” Jorgen stressed.

He said that GAC Singapore was proud of the successful completion of this heavylift challenge for Prosafe Productions . “This exercise gives GAC another testimonial to our many successful heavy lift project shipments globally,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service