Our specialist expertise was needed to transport a heavy compressor turbine across the Pacific.
Moving a 52-tonne turbine across the Pacific
An oil and gas client asked us to help transport a 52-tonne compressor turbine from the United States to Australia, where it was required for an energy grid upgrade ahead of the winter season to ensure supply to the energy grid in Victoria. The client needed our specialist expertise to ensure the heavy and outsize load crossed the Pacific on time.
Our Solution
Route: USA > Australia
Aircraft: Antonov AN-124
The consignment included a 35-tonne turbine. Our experienced cargo team assessed the requirements of the freight and route and concluded that the AN-124, with its unique rail system, was the only aircraft that could load such dense and outsizes cargo the required distance.
We sourced an AN-124 with availability, assessing the fastest route across the pacific and co-ordinated permits and airport handling for loading and offloading of the cargo.
On the day of the charter, the outsize turbine piece was lifted onto the rails utilising a 120 tonne capacity crane and winched into position before being secured on board the aircraft with heavy chains.
After more than seven months of careful planning, the cargo was then successfully flown to Australia despite a last minute route change due to congestion at a transit stop, ACS was prepared with an alternative that did not affect the overall schedule.
The Finer Details
Industry Contacts: Faced with congestion on the original route, we liaised with the civil aviation authorities to re-route the flight and secure new permits in order to avoid a delay.