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UTC sets new standard for ro-ro charters

UTC sets new standard for ro-ro charters

UTC Sets New Standard with Massive Ro-Ro Charter

UTC recently transported a full charter of material handling machines for long-time customer and trusted partner, Sennebogen. 

UTC's Heavy Equipment Division coordinated the transport of 81 Sennebogen cranes on the Leo Leader, a chartered ro-ro vessel, from Bremerhaven, Germany to Charleston, South Carolina, setting a new standard for complexity and scale.

charted ro-ro vessel
Sennebogen cranes
freight tons

For 18 years, UTC has been transporting Sennebogen’s cargo to North America, building on their long-standing relationship based on trust, honesty, and confidence in each other’s abilities. UTC devised this ambitious chartering plan to safely move a large volume of equipment while being economically sound.

Departure from Bremerhaven

The journey began in Bremerhaven, Germany, as the Leo Leader set sail with unique cargo – the main deck completely filled with 81 Sennebogen material handling machines. UTC’s established relationships with shipping lines played a pivotal role in securing the necessary Ro-Ro space, a coveted commodity in an industry experiencing record movements of cranes and agriculture equipment.

The massive undertaking required meticulous planning and coordination to ensure the sheer size and weight of the shipment could be transported and loaded safely.  Multiple staging areas were set up dockside and positioned at the ready to complete the loading in one day.

DSC08420

Challenges & Triumphs

The magnitude of the operation was enormous, with approximately 10,000 freight tons of machinery requiring precise loading so each piece could drive on and subsequently and efficiently drive off at the final destination.

Over 80 trucks transported the equipment to the port, a process that took time to plan due to the necessity of obtaining permits and setting up staging areas. Permitting in Germany is complex and lengthy, but the UTC Bremen office has longstanding relationships with truckers and the port allowing them to expedite the process.

DSC08609

Loading intricacies

Patrik Meyer, UTC Manager – Heavy Equipment Development, who was on-site and directing the operation, recounts, “The loading process presented unique challenges, with every piece of machinery requiring specific positioning on the vessel. UTC has moved volumes of Sennebogen machines over the years and was familiar with each model, aiding in the proper placement of the valuable cargo. Blueprints were sent ahead of time, allowing for exact planning to ensure each unit could maneuver moving on and off the vessel, always considering the safety of the crew and equipment.”

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Units were carefully placed within inches of each other to guarantee everything fit in their tight, preassigned location. In addition to the efficient use of space, the cargo’s precise weight and size were crucial for proper balancing of the vessel.

Charter complexities

The Leo Leader faced unexpected delays when it encountered a storm and two hurricanes, highlighting the complexities of managing transportation in the face of unpredictable weather.

In addition, the cargo’s final destination changed after the paperwork was complete. This necessitated swiftly revising documents for 81 pieces of equipment to clear customs.

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Unloading in Charleston

UTC’s team scoped out the port before the vessel arrived in Charleston. This familiarity with the port’s setup and operations resulted in a solid, risk-free plan for discharge that led to a targeted, smooth process. The Sennebogen cargo, consisting of 79 assembled units, two unassembled units, and static cargo, was efficiently unloaded within the strict deadline.

The unloading began at 7:00 AM. The port actioned two to three people to unhook the cargo and two to three to drive and guide the units off the vessel. Multiple teams worked with precision in shifts that proceeded until 10:00 PM when all the cargo had safely moved to staging areas. The operation required careful coordination between port personnel, truck drivers, and UTC’s team to meet the vessel’s departure schedule.

A Flawless UTC Operation

Hans Meyer, UTC COO Heavy Equipment and Specialized Cargo, was proud of his team’s work. “The successful Ro-Ro charter of the Leo Leader stands as a testament to the expertise and dedication of UTC in tackling challenging logistical operations. The six-month planning process, attention to detail, and longstanding partnership with Sennebogen, the shipping lines, and the port all played pivotal roles in the operation’s success.”

Strong 18-year relationship

Constantino Lannes, President and CEO of Sennebogen North America, praised the seamless execution of the operation. “Chartering the Leo Leader was a tremendous task together with UTC to secure all this space and make sure we could deliver our machines to our customers when they expect them. We have worked with UTC for 18 years, and it has been tremendous cooperation. UTC takes care of the transportation of all our machines from Europe to the United States.”

UTC's heavy equipment team has specialized knowledge of your equipment, allowing us to provide the most innovative and cost-saving logistics solutions.

Read More

Time-sensitive air charter

utc arranges time sensitive air charter from egypt

UTCs air freight experts recently arranged a charter to transport aero-derivative gas turbines from Egypt to Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Originating in Cairo and Sharm el Sheikh, the units were flown to Chicago O'Hare. Once they arrived, UTC further coordinated the last-mile transport to multiple destinations to support power stations.

turbines
pounds each
x 102 x 102"

Turbines were packed in specialized shipping cans for air charter transport

In total, the transport included three turbines that are components of power packs. Each pack contains a turbine, transformer, generator, and control unit. The turbines measured 218" x 102" x 102" and weighed 28,660 pounds each.

The gas turbines were transported in specialized shipping cans - hard, heavy-duty protective cases - designed to move power generation equipment.

The empty cans were transloaded onto trailers via four lifting eyes prior to placing the turbines. When the cans are fully loaded, the lifting procedure is adjusted to include a lifting bar and lashing to properly support the weight of the turbine.

Once loaded, the cans are pumped with nitrogen to displace oxygen, and sealed. These containers control the inside environment to keep out moisture and salt, which can be corrosive and damaging to expensive equipment.

LM6000 Turbines
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Engineers weigh in: determining the best plane for the job

Based on the dimensions of the turbines and shipping cans, UTC's team began looking for the best airfreight solution. A charter was arranged using the IL-76, a heavy-lift cargo aircraft that UTC engineers deemed most suitable for the job. It is a workhorse used to transport cargo and troops, and for aerial refueling and firefighting.

The IL-76's cabin size is large, able to accommodate approximately 160 cubic meters, with a payload capacity of 50 tons. The tail cargo door has expanding loading ramps, and the cabin is equipped with two electric winches, each with three-ton traction, and four electric hoists with a pulling capacity of up to 10 tons. Due to its size and the onboard equipment, it was the most efficient choice for the quick turnaround needed.

UTC moves this type of equipment on a regular basis, but this door-to-door move presented several notable challenges. An unusually short unloading time span, coordinating multiple international teams, and complicated paperwork added to the complexity of this job.

Shipping can rendering II
IL-76 airplane on tarmac, blue skies in background. Urgent air charter to Egypt.

Challenge accepted: Air charter team executes plan flawlessly in face of tight unloading time frame

Arrangements began months in advance. Due to the flight crew's time constraints, they had only two hours on the ground. Each step in the process had to be performed with great precision since there was no time to spare in executing the plan.

UTC's Air Charter team was on the ground to carefully oversee the operation. Pre-coordination was key to getting the units ready to load quickly. The necessary equipment for loading and the handling crew had to be onsite and ready to spring into action.

Prior to the units landing, specialized trucks, airport storage, forklifts, security, ex-rays, airport clearance, and a myriad of other tasks were coordinated and ready. Proper paperwork, permits, certificates, and inspections were key to keeping the operation running swiftly.

UTC Overseas Air Charter Team
IL76_LM6000 CROP

Behind the scenes of an air charter transport: mobilizing cranes, forklifts, heavy duty-trucks and more

UTC provided a variety of services critical to the success of this project: customs, engineering, air freight, ground transportation, rigging, and more.

UTC's team worked closely with the engineers from Silkway Airlines to craft a loading and unloading plan for the IL76. Despite the complex paperwork involved, UTC's team arranged customs clearance, which was critical to allow for unloading.

Special ground handling equipment was required at three airports and both job sites. A 50T mobile crane with a spreader bar and rigging kit distributed pressure to avoid direct contact with container walls.

A 20T forklift with long forks for extensions, a 16T capacity forklift, three air ride flatbed trailers, airport dollies and pallets, heavy-duty trucks, and two main deck loaders assembled as a train to extend the length of the work surface were all necessary to the success of the project.

LM6000 cans unloading at port
full shipping can being loaded onto a trailer. loading beam and lashing support weight of full container. These were transported from Egypt to USA via air charter.

UTC has the knowledge and expertise to perform these transports under all types of adverse conditions. Despite the time-sensitive nature of this project, our international team had the know-how and boots on the ground to execute this plan to our customer's satisfaction.

UTC's air charter team has specialized knowledge of your equipment, allowing us to provide the most innovative and cost-saving logistics solutions.

Read More

UTC Sets New Heavylift Record

heaviest cargo ever mobilized in colombia - fully assembled 300t engines

utc overcomes mounting challenges for greenfield project in colombia

UTC's global heavy lift experts coordinated the transportation of the heaviest cargo ever mobilized on Colombian roads.

Over the last two years, a team of UTC Overseas professionals has been transporting the equipment needed to operate the new El Tesorito power plant in Cordoba Province, Colombia. Having worked on many greenfield projects before, these specialists had the knowledge, experience, and contacts to arrange ocean transport, loading and unloading, port manipulation, storage, on-carriage, and discharge onto the foundation.

gen-sets
Heaviest Piece:
tons
Additional
containers

Diligent planning and precise execution were vital in carrying out the operation

UTC’s skilled crew took care of every detail, locating the port nearest the job site so the motors could ship fully assembled, saving the customer considerable time and money. The equipment would travel to the Port of Tolú, a breakbulk and project cargo facility with the capacity and infrastructure to handle the equipment efficiently.

Starting out as breakbulk cargo on multi-purpose vessels, the equipment began the first leg of the journey. The first shipment contained 11 generators weighing 72 tons each, along with 8,845 cubic meters of additional equipment. The second vessel carried three transformers, 97 tons each, and 460 cubic meters of accessories. The third vessel transported 11 assembled engines which were 300 tons each and six meters high. The oversized and overweight cargo originated in Brazil, Bolivia, the U.S., Finland, Italy, and Mexico. In addition to the equipment, there were over 400 containers of related material.

3 MAR 2022 Tesorito _ NO LOGO sized
IMG_0849

Challenges Mounting: Adverse weather, pandemic supply chain disruptions & holiday chaos factor in

With any large-scale EPC contract, there are many challenges to overcome, but this one was compounded by the Christmas and New Year holidays, the pandemic, and supply chain disruptions. A host of new, unfamiliar situations arose, such as port closings, labor shortages, and strict distancing and sanitary procedures. Weather also contributed as much of this move occurred during the rainy season.

Despite advance planning and extensive road surveys, unannounced road construction began on the planned route to the job site, so alternate plans had to be devised quickly. Security measures were developed and implemented for the new route ensuring safe passage for the personnel and equipment in the caravans.

The available bridge that led to the construction site could not hold the weight of the assembled units. The bridge needed reinforcing to allow safe passage. Due to excessive rain, the roads were muddy, and the river created high currents. The elevated water levels made excavation difficult, so a dam was constructed to impede the water flow. This type of work requires environmental licenses stipulating that everything must be returned to its natural state when work is completed. Due to this, the bridge reinforcements were deconstructed after the final equipment delivery.

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PHOTO-2022-01-28-06-53-37

Last-mile transport: Local regulations & outreach

Abiding by local laws and regulations is essential when completing any project. This one went one step beyond, though. UTC was traversing rural communities with limited resources. Electricity had to be taken off-line for six-hour stretches each time a caravan of trucks moved through one of the towns. It was a hard sell to win over the locals and garner support for the project. The impact on the region was significant, but the long-term improvements would more than make up for the temporary disruptions.

UTC professionals became diplomats, meeting and discussing concerns with the local communities. Ignacio Benedetti, UTC Regional Director West Coast Latam, recounts some of the meetings. “This was a socially sensitive project. Power was interrupted as lines were moved to allow the large pieces to travel through towns on national roads. Generator backup did not exist, meaning residents and businesses were without power and water for long stretches - this happened multiple times over the course of a few months. We met with community leaders, business owners, and utility companies to explain the benefits of the project and the government’s investment in improving energy services. We shared an explanatory video to educate all concerned parties on the benefits of building up power resources in the area. To further complicate the situation, election training took place during one span of the project, and alternative energy sources had to be supplied so the training could be completed in time for election day.”

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PHOTO-2021-11-29-16-54-56 2

Breaking records to support energy transition to renewables

“The weight of the units was massive and set a new record for the heaviest pieces mobilized on Colombian roads. To receive the necessary transport permits, bridge and infrastructure impact studies were required, and a route study and pavement calculations had to be completed to ensure weight compliance guidelines outlined in the permits were not exceeded. A thorough traffic control plan was also required, as was coordination with utility companies responsible for lifting the power, internet, and phone lines in the towns along the route. Equipment moved using Prime Movers. Their large turning radius precluded them from entering the facility, so the oversized equipment was transferred to SPMT to reach the foundations,” says Jorge Duarte, UTC Project Manager.

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El Tesorito will provide critical grid balancing capacity to supplement intermittent energy derived from renewable sources such as solar and wind and help the grid cope with varying weather conditions. In case of a shortage, it will also be available to provide backup power. It is an important project to support the energy grid in the region. The plant complies with strict environmental regulations and creates operational and maintenance jobs for the local population in this rural region.

UTC’s teams of experts successfully handled the myriad of obstacles that presented themselves throughout the execution of the project overcoming the challenges and delivering on time.

UTC's expert team has specialized knowledge of your equipment, allowing us to provide the most innovative and cost-saving logistics solutions.

Check out UTC's Project Showcases & Industry Insights:

UTC sets new standard for ro-ro charters

UTC arranged an air charter & last mile transport for 3 aero-derivative gas turbines from Egypt to Chicago, Illinois, USA, supporting multiple power stations.

Time-sensitive air charter

UTC arranged an air charter & last mile transport for 3 aero-derivative gas turbines from Egypt to Chicago, Illinois, USA, supporting multiple power stations.

UTC Sets New Heavylift Record

utc overcomes mounting challenges for greenfield project in colombia UTC’s global heavy lift experts coordinated the transportation of the heaviest cargo ever mobilized on Colombian roads. Over the last two years, a team of UTC Overseas professionals has been transporting the equipment needed to operate the new El Tesorito power plant in Cordoba Province, Colombia. Having worked on many greenfield projects before, these specialists had the knowledge, experience, and contacts to arrange ocean transport, loading and unloading, port manipulation, storage, on-carriage, and discharge onto the foundation. 11 gen-sets Heaviest Piece: 300 tons Additional 400 containers Diligent planning and precise execution…

+100K FRT GLOBAL CEMENT TRANSPORT

UTC Handles +100K frt Multimodal Cement Plant Delivery UTC’s Global Cement Division managed the transport of over 100,000 freight tons of equipment for one of the largest cement plants in the USA. Multiple modalities were used for hundreds of shipments, some with pieces over 25′, arriving from China, India, Germany, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico. 100,000 freight tons 37 hopper barges 150 truckloads With equipment heights over 25ft, the main transportation challenge was shipping major components in the largest configuration possible. Planning began in 2019 with detailed route and feasibility studies, risk assessments, and evaluation of discharge ports. Transporting…

Industry Update Aug 2022

Inflation, impending strikes, military drills and droughts are making it more difficult to navigate the international supply chain. Here’s what you need to know today.

July 2022 Industry Update

Worldwide labor negotiations and port congestion are taking hold as the peak shipping season approaches. Here’s what you need to know today.

Industry Update June 2022

With international and local expertise, diligent risk assessment, and multi-modal capabilities, our teams will work with you to keep your cargo moving. Contact UTC today to develop a transportation strategy that works best for you.

Industry Update April 2022

With international and local expertise, diligent risk assessment, and multi-modal capabilities, our teams will work with you to keep your cargo moving. Contact UTC today to develop a transportation strategy that works best for you.

256MT Crane Transport

UTC Manages 256MT Crane Transport: No Assembly Required UTC recently coordinated the transport of a Gottwald Mobile Harbor Crane from Texas to Florida. By thinking outside the box, UTC’s Heavy Equipment Team developed a solution to transport the crane fully assembled, in a fraction of the time. 256 MT 130 ft tall 5 days UTC rolls on and rolls off fully assembled Gottwald Crane UTC routinely transports oversize, overweight cargo, but this move was different. The 256 MT Gottwald Mobile Harbor Crane that stands 130′ high was driven directly onto a barge for a five-day trip from Brownsville, Texas, to…

Breaking News

“The goal is, let’s have this transition, which let’s face it, is massive to accomplish, without stranding workers, without stranding communities,” said Moniz, who spoke at Houston Maritime Center upon being presented the HMC Maritime Education Award in early March. “And for that to work we have to put the people to work that have the skillset.”

Read More

+100K FRT GLOBAL CEMENT TRANSPORT

multimodal cement plant delivery - modular cement plant parts being transported via multimodal logistics solution

UTC Handles +100K frt Multimodal Cement Plant Delivery

UTC's Global Cement Division managed the transport of over 100,000 freight tons of equipment for one of the largest cement plants in the USA.

Multiple modalities were used for hundreds of shipments, some with pieces over 25', arriving from China, India, Germany, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico.

freight tons
hopper barges
truckloads

With equipment heights over 25ft, the main transportation challenge was shipping major components in the largest configuration possible.

Planning began in 2019 with detailed route and feasibility studies, risk assessments, and evaluation of discharge ports.

Transporting equipment to the job site, located deep in the US Heartland, required intricate planning and creative solutions. To ensure all parties stayed informed in real-time, UTC created a customized portal for the client where information on the project was available. This enabled teams worldwide to address challenges and implement contingency plans quickly. Constant communication with a myriad of local authorities during last-mile transport, including utilities and cable companies, ensured the success of this complex project.

Out-of-gauge ocean freight to the Port of New Orleans via 12 charter vessels

The largest pieces originated in China, where they were barged to the Ports of Shanghai and Tianjin and loaded onto 12 charter vessels headed for the Port of New Orleans. Shipping the largest parts from China proved to be complex due to COVID lockdowns and unexpected last-minute restrictions. Port congestion, labor shortages, lack of raw materials, and quarantine requirements for cargo originating in active COVID regions posed challenges. UTC was able to call on existing relationships with carriers to secure space, contain vessel detention costs, and postpone shipment dates when cargo was not available for loading.

5 UTC Handles 100K+ frt Multimodal Cement Plant Delivery 5

The next challenge: critical cargo urgently needed

Critical pieces of cargo became available in Chennai, India, in late 2021 and were urgently needed to meet the construction schedule. UTC’s team in India immediately began evaluating alternative options for time- and cost-effective transport, taking into account extremely tight capacity and heavy monsoon rains. UTC determined the best strategy would be to truck the equipment to Mumbai, where it would be loaded onto four ro-ro vessels.

Other major OOG cargo originated in Romania, Italy, Turkey, and Germany and were shipped to the US via breakbulk vessels, with some smaller parts and accessories shipped via airfreight. Additional parts and accessories out of Mexico were transported overland via 150 truckloads to the site in Mitchell. UTC handled customs at the border.

Barge transport up the Mississippi River

Once the oversized cargo was discharged in the US, it was loaded onto 37 chartered hopper barges for transport to the Port of Jeffersonville. UTC scouted multiple locations to determine the final destination port, considering supply chain delays, port congestion, adverse weather events, and more. Port of Jeffersonville was chosen because of its proximity to the job site and ease of entering highways with oversized equipment.

Deliveries of large-scale projects like this are usually carefully sequenced so equipment and parts arrive in the order they are installed. However, with COVID lockdowns, supplier delays, and shipping backlogs causing significant uncertainty in production and delivery schedules, UTC took delivery of parts as soon as they were available, storing them at the port until needed at the plant.

2 UTC Loading FINAL_Moment 4

Last-mile delivery: Interfacing with local utilities, DOT, & wildlife authorities

UTC consulted with local utilities, DOT, and wildlife authorities to ensure the last-mile transport of hundreds of oversized pieces spanning 24 months would not interfere with the local community and surrounding habitats.

Before transporting any equipment, UTC engaged with Indiana DOT (INDOT) to analyze last-mile route options.

Once a 71.7-mile route was established, UTC entered into a $4M bond with INDOT, allowing site revisions and travel route modifications to accommodate oversized cargo. UTC representatives and DOT contractors traveled the entire route, measuring and identifying all communications and electric lines and overhanging obstacles. Working with additional contractors, utility wires and poles, traffic lights, highway signs, and digital messaging boards were temporarily lifted or removed during transports. Most larger utilities authorized Kenco to raise their wires, but several REMCs required their engineers to be on-site to ensure the safety of their lines. Several major telecoms and electric cables leading up to Chicago were along the route, meaning utmost care had to be taken to avoid widespread disruptions. With careful planning and precise attention to detail, all oversized pieces of equipment were moved without incident.

4 UTC Handles 100K+ frt Multimodal Cement Plant Delivery 2

INDOT required that any cargo over 18’ tall must be transported overnight.

The largest pieces came in steel crating to facilitate loading and provide protection. However, the crating made round, tapered pieces into otherwise square cargo, which would need significantly more overhead clearance. By cutting and removing top portions of the crating, several pieces were transported without stretching utility lines or removing overhanging obstacles. These were trucked using specialized perimetral trailers, which provided additional height clearance due to their very low base. They moved in convoys of 2-3 loads to further minimize movement of utility lines and obstacles. Multiple packages were so wide, the roads so narrow, and the placement of telephone poles close to the street that there were just inches of clearance at certain times.

3 UTC Handles 100K+ Freight Ton Multimodal Cement Plant Expansion Delivery Image 7

Last-mile transportation of these oversized pieces endured the depths of winter through ice storms and snow, through spring rains, and into the hot summer, or bat season.

Since the Indiana bat is an endangered species and an integral part of the local ecosystem, UTC interfaced with local wildlife authorities to ensure that continuous overnight transports of oversized equipment would not disrupt the population, which make their home in the hardwood trees lining the route.

UTC’s strength is adapting to the client’s needs, which changed as the project progressed. The pandemic, lockdowns, port closures, reduced labor pools, escalating shipping costs, and vessel availability were all contributing factors. Contingency planning for these types of disruptions is fundamental in executing a project of this magnitude. Fortunately for UTC’s Cement Division, their skill, years of experience, and advanced planning allowed the freight to move uninterrupted. The job was well-executed, safely, and on time.

7 UTC Handles 100K+ Freight Ton Multimodal Cement Plant Expansion Delivery Image 8

UTC's logistics teams have specialized knowledge of your equipment, allowing us to provide the most innovative and cost-saving logistics solutions.

Check out UTC's Project Showcases & Industry Insights:

UTC sets new standard for ro-ro charters

UTC arranged an air charter & last mile transport for 3 aero-derivative gas turbines from Egypt to Chicago, Illinois, USA, supporting multiple power stations.

Time-sensitive air charter

UTC arranged an air charter & last mile transport for 3 aero-derivative gas turbines from Egypt to Chicago, Illinois, USA, supporting multiple power stations.

UTC Sets New Heavylift Record

utc overcomes mounting challenges for greenfield project in colombia UTC’s global heavy lift experts coordinated the transportation of the heaviest cargo ever mobilized on Colombian roads. Over the last two years, a team of UTC Overseas professionals has been transporting the equipment needed to operate the new El Tesorito power plant in Cordoba Province, Colombia. Having worked on many greenfield projects before, these specialists had the knowledge, experience, and contacts to arrange ocean transport, loading and unloading, port manipulation, storage, on-carriage, and discharge onto the foundation. 11 gen-sets Heaviest Piece: 300 tons Additional 400 containers Diligent planning and precise execution…

+100K FRT GLOBAL CEMENT TRANSPORT

UTC Handles +100K frt Multimodal Cement Plant Delivery UTC’s Global Cement Division managed the transport of over 100,000 freight tons of equipment for one of the largest cement plants in the USA. Multiple modalities were used for hundreds of shipments, some with pieces over 25′, arriving from China, India, Germany, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico. 100,000 freight tons 37 hopper barges 150 truckloads With equipment heights over 25ft, the main transportation challenge was shipping major components in the largest configuration possible. Planning began in 2019 with detailed route and feasibility studies, risk assessments, and evaluation of discharge ports. Transporting…

Industry Update Aug 2022

Inflation, impending strikes, military drills and droughts are making it more difficult to navigate the international supply chain. Here’s what you need to know today.

July 2022 Industry Update

Worldwide labor negotiations and port congestion are taking hold as the peak shipping season approaches. Here’s what you need to know today.

Industry Update June 2022

With international and local expertise, diligent risk assessment, and multi-modal capabilities, our teams will work with you to keep your cargo moving. Contact UTC today to develop a transportation strategy that works best for you.

Industry Update April 2022

With international and local expertise, diligent risk assessment, and multi-modal capabilities, our teams will work with you to keep your cargo moving. Contact UTC today to develop a transportation strategy that works best for you.

256MT Crane Transport

UTC Manages 256MT Crane Transport: No Assembly Required UTC recently coordinated the transport of a Gottwald Mobile Harbor Crane from Texas to Florida. By thinking outside the box, UTC’s Heavy Equipment Team developed a solution to transport the crane fully assembled, in a fraction of the time. 256 MT 130 ft tall 5 days UTC rolls on and rolls off fully assembled Gottwald Crane UTC routinely transports oversize, overweight cargo, but this move was different. The 256 MT Gottwald Mobile Harbor Crane that stands 130′ high was driven directly onto a barge for a five-day trip from Brownsville, Texas, to…

Breaking News

“The goal is, let’s have this transition, which let’s face it, is massive to accomplish, without stranding workers, without stranding communities,” said Moniz, who spoke at Houston Maritime Center upon being presented the HMC Maritime Education Award in early March. “And for that to work we have to put the people to work that have the skillset.”

Read More

256MT Crane Transport

Two men standing in front of a heavy lift vessel that is unloading cranes. The taller man, on the left, is wearing a yellow high-visibility vest with the UTC Overseas logo on the back. The second man, on the right, is wearing an orange high-visibility vest with the Konecranes logo on the back. Both are wearing white hard hats.

UTC Manages 256MT Crane Transport:
No Assembly Required

UTC recently coordinated the transport of a Gottwald Mobile Harbor Crane from Texas to Florida. By thinking outside the box, UTC's Heavy Equipment Team developed a solution to transport the crane fully assembled, in a fraction of the time.

MT
ft tall
days

UTC rolls on and rolls off fully assembled Gottwald Crane

UTC routinely transports oversize, overweight cargo, but this move was different. The 256 MT Gottwald Mobile Harbor Crane that stands 130’ high was driven directly onto a barge for a five-day trip from Brownsville, Texas, to Tampa, Florida. No external equipment was used to load the crane, and no disassembly or reassembly was required.

This innovative approach was the brainchild of Andrew Johnson, UTC’s risk and field operations expert. Generally, to load a piece this large requires heavy lift cranes and SPMT (self-propelled modular transporter) movers. These are costly to secure and time-consuming to put into action. In addition, the crane must be broken down into smaller, more transportable sections and reconstructed when it reaches the final destination.

Konecranes 2

Thinking outside the box

Johnson came up with the idea to drive the Gottwald onto the barge, eliminating the lifting equipment and SPMT’s. This saved hundreds of thousands of dollars and a significant amount of time.

Destined for PLRS, Port Logistics Refrigerated Services, in Tampa, the crane moved fully assembled and was driven on and off the barge by an engineer using a remote control device. A spreader and 53’ container with accessories accompanied the unit on the journey.

Konecranes 3

Johnson recounts how this idea took shape. “We are always looking for safe and cost-effective solutions for our customers. Using standard procedures meant bringing in special equipment for lifting and disassembling sections of the crane. It would require days worth of time for setup and rigging and comes at a high cost. I researched alternate methods and worked closely with our customer and their engineers to map out all aspects of the plan. Partnering with experienced subcontractors was essential to executing the job. It was a team effort, and success depended on tapping into UTC’s knowledge base and bringing the right people together.”

UTC's pre-inspections are essential to flawless performance

Site visits and risk assessments at the arrival and departure ports were critical to ensuring the plan went off without a hitch. In Tampa, UTC’s Patrik Meyer, product and trade lane development,  discovered that the bumpers were too high to allow for a problem-free roll-off. “While surveying the Tampa port, I found that the bumpers were 6 feet, which is huge and would have impeded our plan. This necessitated making special arrangements. If I had not vetted the area, we would not have known until we arrived at the unloading site. Fortunately, we were prepared ahead of arrival, and there were no surprises or delays.”

Konecranes 8

Weather is always a consideration when moving through the Gulf of Mexico during January. Constant monitoring was essential, and UTC along with its partners, had multiple backup plans and contingencies at the ready. Stabilizing this immense piece of equipment and restricting movement while in transit was critical. The boom was lowered and supported, and the unit was firmly secured using straps, d-rings, and chains. Upon arrival at the final destination, the boom was raised, chains, straps, and d-rings were removed, and the crane was fully operational once discharged from the barge.

UTC’s experienced team of professionals in the Houston and Wilmington offices had done their due diligence and were prepared - the plan was executed flawlessly. UTC always considers what is in the customer’s best interest, and this was a huge win for the customer.

UTC's heavy equipment team has specialized knowledge of your equipment, allowing us to provide the most innovative and cost-saving logistics solutions.

Read More

High-Tech Cement Plant Transport

High-Tech high stakes greenfield cement plant transportation

high-tech cement

UTC Overseas was contracted to move a cement plant for the Elementia Group, managing cargo from various European countries and shipping to the Yucatan region in Mexico.

A new greenfield plant was to be constructed and UTC's cement team had the experience and knowledge to coordinate all facets of this challenging delivery.

completed in
months
pieces of equipment
over
truckloads

Cement has been around since Roman times, but the way it is made has changed radically, with advancements in manufacturing made every year. Processes have gone high-tech, and equipment has become more sophisticated. Transporting this state-of-the-art, high ticket machinery and related supplies requires great precision and skill to ensure proper handling and safe delivery. This is where UTC Overseas comes into the equation.

UTC's high-tech cement experts consulted with our client to design modular cement equipment to minimize transportation costs.

This massive job did not just involve moving cargo from point A to point B; it required expertise in transport modalities, port specifications, machinery knowledge, international and regional regulations, and IT solutions for 24/7 communications and shipment tracking. UTC's team of professionals had the logistics and technical knowledge, as well as personnel and capital resources to manage this large-scale door-to-door project destined for a complex and hard-to-reach part of the world.

high tech cement move - mexico 2022

UTC began planning in 2019, and the process continued for an entire year. Early on, the client involved UTC to optimize equipment designs to ensure efficient and cost-effective transport. Jointly, they agreed that pieces would be knocked down, shipped unconstructed, and assembled at the site. UTC evaluated the pieces for size, weight, and mass, suggesting the most reliable ways to lift, load, and transport.

When COVID hit, UTC's knowledge of international and local regulations and attention to safety ensured cargo kept moving.

In early 2020, amid the Covid pandemic, the freight began to move. Equipment and supplies from Germany, Italy, Spain, and Turkey were loaded at several European ports and were destined for the port of Progreso, primarily a passenger cruise destination. From start to finish, the project spanned 14 months. The port infrastructure was vetted, and route surveys were done to ensure a safe and reliable route to the plant. Clearing assets along the way with local authorities was critical, and necessary personnel were in place to lift signs, signals, cables, and lines. Safety measures were of the utmost importance, and Covid protocols required adjustments with short notice.

high tech cement move - mexico 2022

With a project of this magnitude, communication and keeping all stakeholders informed was critical to the successful execution. UTC's business model and SOP's outline consistent practices that include constant monitoring and regular updates that translate into value for the customer. UTC created a dedicated client portal to allow all project participants to access up-to-the-minute shipping information, documentation, milestones, and KPI's 24/7, whether they are in an office, in the field, or on the job site. This kept all partners fully informed at all times.

UTC's global network worked hand-in-hand to coordinate 3500+ pieces of equipment sourced from four countries.

UTC's team handled ocean and inland transportation for the complete door-to-door move of the oversize, overweight pieces. In total, there were over 3500 pieces and more than 800 trucks. Constant communication between UTC's Mexico, US, Turkey, Germany, and Italy offices along with the client, port, vendors, and plant was critical to ensuring a smooth operation. UTC professionals had the ability to mobilize vendors and adapt to the changing needs that arose.

high tech cement move - mexico 2022

What does this mean for the Yucatan Region? In an area that needed an infusion of capital investment to boost the economy, 450 new jobs were created. The Progreso plant is the first production facility in the area, and operations commenced in September 2020. Sustainability was a factor, and with efficient use of electrical power and water consumption, the plant will have a minimum impact on the environment. It is a win-win for the area.

As the architect of this massive plan, Vice President Projects and Head of UTC Cement Division Rodrigo Chittoni comments, "Global trade today is facing tremendous challenges, and flexibility is key as plans made today may need to change tomorrow. A massive cement plant move requires that all aspects be reviewed daily and adjusted due to Covid, weather, and other circumstances. Constant monitoring and astute attention to detail are paramount to successful delivery. Fortunately, this is how UTC operates, and the client benefits from UTC's extensive knowledge in cement logistics and our years of experience in this specialized market. The outcome for the Progreso plant was a successful delivery – on time, within budget, with all equipment safely delivered."

UTC's global network develops specialized knowledge of your equipment, allowing us to provide the most innovative and cost-saving logistics solutions.

Check out UTC's Project Showcases & Industry Insights:

UTC sets new standard for ro-ro charters

UTC arranged an air charter & last mile transport for 3 aero-derivative gas turbines from Egypt to Chicago, Illinois, USA, supporting multiple power stations.

Time-sensitive air charter

UTC arranged an air charter & last mile transport for 3 aero-derivative gas turbines from Egypt to Chicago, Illinois, USA, supporting multiple power stations.

UTC Sets New Heavylift Record

utc overcomes mounting challenges for greenfield project in colombia UTC’s global heavy lift experts coordinated the transportation of the heaviest cargo ever mobilized on Colombian roads. Over the last two years, a team of UTC Overseas professionals has been transporting the equipment needed to operate the new El Tesorito power plant in Cordoba Province, Colombia. Having worked on many greenfield projects before, these specialists had the knowledge, experience, and contacts to arrange ocean transport, loading and unloading, port manipulation, storage, on-carriage, and discharge onto the foundation. 11 gen-sets Heaviest Piece: 300 tons Additional 400 containers Diligent planning and precise execution…

+100K FRT GLOBAL CEMENT TRANSPORT

UTC Handles +100K frt Multimodal Cement Plant Delivery UTC’s Global Cement Division managed the transport of over 100,000 freight tons of equipment for one of the largest cement plants in the USA. Multiple modalities were used for hundreds of shipments, some with pieces over 25′, arriving from China, India, Germany, Italy, Romania, Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico. 100,000 freight tons 37 hopper barges 150 truckloads With equipment heights over 25ft, the main transportation challenge was shipping major components in the largest configuration possible. Planning began in 2019 with detailed route and feasibility studies, risk assessments, and evaluation of discharge ports. Transporting…

Industry Update Aug 2022

Inflation, impending strikes, military drills and droughts are making it more difficult to navigate the international supply chain. Here’s what you need to know today.

July 2022 Industry Update

Worldwide labor negotiations and port congestion are taking hold as the peak shipping season approaches. Here’s what you need to know today.

Industry Update June 2022

With international and local expertise, diligent risk assessment, and multi-modal capabilities, our teams will work with you to keep your cargo moving. Contact UTC today to develop a transportation strategy that works best for you.

Industry Update April 2022

With international and local expertise, diligent risk assessment, and multi-modal capabilities, our teams will work with you to keep your cargo moving. Contact UTC today to develop a transportation strategy that works best for you.

256MT Crane Transport

UTC Manages 256MT Crane Transport: No Assembly Required UTC recently coordinated the transport of a Gottwald Mobile Harbor Crane from Texas to Florida. By thinking outside the box, UTC’s Heavy Equipment Team developed a solution to transport the crane fully assembled, in a fraction of the time. 256 MT 130 ft tall 5 days UTC rolls on and rolls off fully assembled Gottwald Crane UTC routinely transports oversize, overweight cargo, but this move was different. The 256 MT Gottwald Mobile Harbor Crane that stands 130′ high was driven directly onto a barge for a five-day trip from Brownsville, Texas, to…

Breaking News

“The goal is, let’s have this transition, which let’s face it, is massive to accomplish, without stranding workers, without stranding communities,” said Moniz, who spoke at Houston Maritime Center upon being presented the HMC Maritime Education Award in early March. “And for that to work we have to put the people to work that have the skillset.”

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