2008
| 2006
| 2005
| Import Projects
 2008
April to December
Project
- Vanadium process plant
Clients - Windimurra / MidWest Vanadium,
Western Australia, Paccon Logistics Australia
Scope –
- Ex works multiple fabricators in South Africa
to liner out Fremantle and Geraldton
- Including crating, container packing, transport,
pre-assembly at Richards Bay for the breakbulk
charter, AQIS wash preparation of all breakbulk,
seafreight for all containerised components
Cargo comprising
- Breakbulk charter
- 62 pieces / 2253 m3 / 204 ton and 6 shipper
own containers
- Largest piece – scrubber separator,
14.6 x 6.3 x 6.3 / 21 ton
- Containerised
- Various 20’ and 40’s including
open tops – 96 TEU
  Commencing
with pre-shipment inspections in April 2008 at
various fabricators premises, we were tasked with
determining the optimum packing and transport
method for the SA manufactured portion of the
plant from source up to arrival Australia. With
limited breakbulk vessel opportunities ex SA the
initial idea was to consider alternatives such
as ro-ro vessels and container liner special equipment
like flat-racks for all but the largest piece
and closed containers for the smaller components.
It was soon established that specials were generally
in short supply and that container liner freight
rates for out of gauge cargo were going to be
very high considering demand levels and the fact
that cargo would have to be transhipped over ports
like Singapore. The regular liner ro-ro operators
also proved to be a costly option. They were also
not able to assist with the scrubber separator
due to it being to big to fit through their ramp
doors – 14.6 x 6.3 x 6.3
We then turned our attention to the charter market
and our Fremantle colleagues identified a suitable
vessel for a part charter at the right price.
This also entailed a total review of all items
that were optional for containerising in order
to optimise the part charter and ship as many
items as possible on a breakbulk basis. In the
meantime, our contracted packers had been making
up various skids & crates using ISPM15 compliant
timbers and we had started packing and shipping
containerised cargoes.
With a suitable breakbulk vessel identified,
it was time to start planning the transport ex
works to Richards Bay. All dates had to, to some
extent, revolve around the movement of the scrubber
separator which at 560 m3 for a single piece,
requires a substantial amount of planning and
co-ordination with local authorities in terms
of transport permits, the lifting of power and
telephone lines.
With fabricators premises being located over
a wide area in Gauteng and with all transport
plans in place, it was time to identify a suitable
pre-assembly area within the port of Richards
Bay. Deliveries commenced in early June and by
late July all 62 breakbulk items had been delivered
to the port with the vessel, “Pantanal”
due to berth and commence loading on 1 August.
On the day the vessel was due to berth, we had
a wash team hose down all items to remove any
accumulated dust and do a final rinse as each
item was lifted to under hook prior lifting on
board ship. This was the only way to ensure all
items were clean enough to pass AQIS inspection
on arrival in Australia.
We had a marine surveyor conduct a pre-shipment
inspection and remain in attendance throughout
loading which was completed on 2/08.
Paccon Fremantle managed the discharge of the
“Pantanal” at Geraldton completing
a well executed project with a very satisfied
client in attendance.
Post this part charter shipment we continued
with various containerised shipments over the
next 5 months.
After many months of planning and hard work,
it was sad to learn that in February of 2009,
the client MidWest Vanadium went into receivership.
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