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From Monday until Wednesday DEME successfully hosted the fourth edition of DEME Discovery.

This is a unique initiative organized by our campus recruitment team, aimed at engaging and inspiring engineering students by bringing them to one of our projects.

In this edition, we invited engineering students from Ghent University (in collaboration with student organizations Hermes and Poutrix). Together we embarked on a three-day journey to Denmark to explore the Fehmarnbelt project, in which DEME is part of the FLC joint venture.

The goal of DEME Discovery is to offer valuable insights into engineering projects while fostering enthusiasm and engagement among future talent. This is fed by insightful presentations about DEME and the project and informal contact with the student in Denmark’s scenic beauty and cultural richness.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a success. We look forward to organizing the next edition in the beginning of April.

With the sun climbing much higher above Höegh Target than just a few days ago, the shadows cast by Kjetil Borch on the top deck are barely visible.

The sun is almost at its zenith – a stark contrast to the ice-covered deck and barely any daylight in Gothenburg just two weeks ago.

For Kjetil Borch, the high midday sun is the most tangible sign of the maritime milestone that crossing the equator represents. Reflecting on his experience from the Atlantic Ocean, he says: “The highlight of the day was when we crossed the equator, and I stepped out onto the deck early in the morning in flip-flops, carefully carrying my freshly brewed morning coffee from the small kitchenette in my quarters. From the top deck, I watched the intense yellow sun rise above Equatorial Guinea and the African continent in the east. My thoughts went to my late grandparents, who took this same journey in the early 1950s to begin their new life in Durban, South Africa.”

“The days at sea have settled into a steady rhythm, reminiscent of the ebb and flow of the ocean – much like my earlier training camps. Time passes almost unnoticed, filled with assignments and work that keep me engaged. One of the highlights remains the camaraderie with the crew. They are very friendly, even though they more or less crush me in after-dinner basketball!,” Borch continues.

Life on board follows a structured schedule, with breakfast served before 08:00, offering everything from Chinese breakfast pizzas and eggs to tasty buns and vegetables that look like sticks but taste like delicious potatoes.
Lunch at 11:30 is often excellent but sometimes spiced as hot as a fuel oil boiler, Borch jokes, noting that the chefs quickly discovered his love for the fiery flavours of Sichuan cuisine.

Dinner is at 17:30, though Saturdays often feature Hot-Pot – a shared meal where a large boiling pot sits in the middle of the table, filled with everything from beef and tofu to cow stomach and prawns.

“Yesterday, we celebrated the promotion of a couple of crew members with a festive dinner. There was plenty of food, a great atmosphere, and even marinated chicken and duck feet in chilli – which I really enjoyed,” he says.

The frequent good weather in these exotic latitudes allows for jogging loops around the basketball court and helicopter pad on the top deck or workouts in the gym with Captain Huang.

Beyond daily routines, Borch’s primary focus on the voyage to Durban has been quality control, assurance, and testing digital solutions onboard.

One of the key improvements he has introduced is a digital checklist for the engine room, enabling real-time feedback and record-keeping – an enhancement that strengthens safety and efficiency onboard and across the fleet.

Borch is set to disembark in Durban next week, while Höegh Target continues its journey to Australia, with Fremantle and Melbourne on its port call list.

“During my time onboard, I’ve been amazed by the thoroughness of the crew and how tidy the vessel is. I’ve truly enjoyed being part of this team. After almost a month at sea, I’m also looking forward to spending time in Durban and diving into port operations south of the Sahara. I have great respect for the crew, who spend much longer periods away from home every time they embark.”

The Höegh Target and Kjetil Borch are scheduled to call at the Port of Durban on 18 March.

As leading global automotive maker Geely Auto prepared for its official entry into the Australian market, its all-electric EX5 SUVs recently made their way to Aussie shores thanks to the finished vehicle logistics (FVL) solutions provided CEVA Logistics.

CEVA Logistics is a trusted global leader in automotive logistics and supply chain management, including local and interstate car transport to any part of Australia. The announcement reinforces Geely’s commitment to the Australian market.

Geely’s strategic partnership with CEVA Logistics marks a key milestone in the brand’s commitment to delivering a premium service experience to Australian dealers and consumers alike.

The CEVA Logistics partnership helped ensure the Geely EX5 was available in dealerships for customer enquiries and test drives starting March 11. Delivery on EX5 orders will be taking place from March onwards.

Mr. Li Lei, CEO of Geely Auto Australia, says, “We are incredibly excited to be nearing the official launch of Geely Auto in Australia, offering a flexible mobility model that suits the Australian way of life.

The world-class logistics support provided by a leading global partner, CEVA Logistics will be integral to our success here. Their experience in managing complex, multi-regional supply chains make them the ideal freight supplier as we introduce our vehicles to Australian dealer networks and customers.

In line with our vision for entering the Australian market, it was important to select a long-term partner to support our commitment to Australia. CEVA Logistics has presented a forward-thinking attitude to grow with the Geely brand, using their expertise and local knowledge to identify growth opportunities as we bring new models to the market.”

With CEVA Logistics’ optimised functions that focus on direct off wharf delivery, efficient local processing and storage solutions, and a seamless dealer delivery, Geely will ensure speedy and reliable shipments of its vehicles, enhancing stock availability and supporting Australian dealers in meeting customer demand.

Guy Meredith, Managing Director for Pacific (Australia, New Zealand and Fiji), CEVA Logistics, said, “Helping our customers expand into new markets is a special moment. Our FVL solutions allow us to move all types of vehicles, including for Geely Auto to transport their soon-to-be launched vehicles in Australia. With local expertise and nationwide coverage, we are perfectly equipped to meet the needs of Geely’s dealer network. Our team of experts is committed to ensuring seamless delivery operations, helping to connect Geely vehicles with Australian drivers.”

Heavy goods haulier, August Alborn, has purchased several SCHEUERLE K25 axle lines thus continuing the over six decades-long business relationship with TII SCHEUERLE.

According to Managing Director Helmut Alborn, the decisive factors in the purchase decision were the technical qualities of the modular platform vehicles, price-performance ratio and, in particular, the great willingness of the TII SCHEUERLE team to implement the company’s high requirements regarding transport safety. The development of this unique very efficient load securing system was the result of a close collaboration with RUD, a renowned specialist in sling and lashing equipment.

“I want to be able to sleep soundly – despite the demanding transport tasks we carry out for our customers on a daily basis,” said Helmut Alborn, Managing Director of August Alborn. The fourth-generation family-run company from Dortmund specialises in the transport of heavy and bulky loads such as machinery, plant, bridge elements, transformers and rail vehicles. Services also include company relocations and heavy assembly work. In addition to a fleet of mobile cranes and heavy-duty vehicles, Alborn also maintains lifting platforms with a capacity of up to 1,440 tonnes. Furthermore, the company has its own engineering department and stores more than 1,500 tonnes of steel for modular constructions.

Helmut Alborn is now expanding his fleet with a number of K25 axle lines along with a slab deck and frame deck in order to transport transformers and rail vehicles, primarily with unit weights between 80 and 130 tonnes. The order includes transport modules with two to six axles. Combined together, they provide the heavy-load logistics provider with generous payload reserves. “After all, we don’t know what challenges we will have to face in the future. Through the modular K25 axle lines, we are now equipped for accommodating loads of up to around 180 tonnes on the road and up to around 400 tonnes in-house, and can already offer our customers a range of additional services,” explained Helmut Alborn.

SCHEUERLE K25 ensures a high level of transport safety also for loads with complex requirements
The company boss opted for modular platform vehicles from TII SCHEUERLE because of their exceptional performance, outstanding price-performance ratio, and high degree of vehicle stability as well as driving stability. The multifunctional axle lines are specially designed for loads with a high centre of gravity. In spite of the large and robust 19.5-inch tyres, the K25 offers a low loading area of 875 millimetres when lowered which means loads can be easily driven underneath whereby the K25 can also be used when every inch of height counts. The track width of 2,100 millimetres is currently the largest available for pendulum axle vehicles and the external width of 3,000 millimetres also ensures greater stability than is usual on the market.

“I also prefer single tyres to a twin-tyre arrangement. Here, the operator can quickly detect a gradual loss of tyre pressure and take appropriate measures to prevent a tyre blowout,” explained Helmut Alborn. He also praised the particularly torsion-resistant frame of the K25 modules. This has a special significance for August Alborn with regard to the axle lines. The heavy load specialist also makes no concessions when it comes to load securing and insists on lashing equipment and attachment points that feature particularly high performance reserves.

For this purpose, in addition to the standard lashing points with lashing capacities of 20,000 decanewtons (daN), Alborn uses the ACP-Turnado from RUD, currently the strongest screwable lashing points on the market complete with an M36 thread and a minimum strength of 25,000 daN in conjunction with Quality Class 12 lashing chains which likewise are supplied by RUD. According to Helmut Alborn, this combination ensures the lowest possible physical strain for the operating personnel allied with the greatest possible level of transport safety. The screwable versions can also be removed if they are in the way of the load. In order to use the heavy-duty lashing points, adjustments to the vehicle were necessary to ensure the safe transfer of the high forces into the frame.

TII SCHEUERLE worked closely with RUD throughout to realise the correct attachment points and frame strength. “The cooperation between RUD and TII SCHEUERLE worked exceptionally well,” explained Helmut Alborn. In principle, the company boss does not make any compromises when it comes to safety and does not shy away from additional expense. “These are the kind of investments that really pay off. Every accident we prevent saves us a lot of money,” he argued.

“Our experience has shown that, in Pfedelbach, we always find industry experts who take our concerns very seriously. We don’t just feel good there, we feel very well looked after,” he extolled. Helmut Alborn also has a long-standing supply relationship with RUD as the lashing specialist has always proven to be a reliable and constructive partner who understands the needs of the company.

Confidence in the technology is further strengthened by the fact that TII SCHEUERLE, together with RUD as well as MAN, manufacturer of Alborn’s tractor unit, and Michelin, supplier of the vehicle tyres, thoroughly tested the heavy-duty combination in the presence of Helmut Alborn before delivery took place. This included tests under adverse weather conditions and with a test load of 250 tonnes. The combination of MAN TGX and SCHEUERLE K25 even had to accommodate a 450-tonne overload of ballast and thus an axle load of 24 tonnes without incurring any damage.

The MAN truck tractor, MICHELIN tyres and the K25 comfortably met Helmut Alborn’s high expectations. Vehicles with special requirements require tyres that can meet these tough challenges and Helmut Alborn has been relying on MICHELIN for a long time. With their particularly robust carcasses and high mileage, MICHELIN tyres are the right choice for operators who value efficiency and longevity.

Even regarding the tractor unit, the heavy-load logistics provider relies on a very special design with high power reserves and load-bearing capacity: a MAN TGX 41.640 8×4/4 with 471 kW (640 hp) performance and 3,000 newton metres (Nm) of torque which can be increased to 4,740 Nm when driving off. For this, the MAN Tipmatic torque converter clutch of the TGX is fitted with a torque boost. This performance is suitable for wear-free pushing and shunting loads with a total weight of 500 tonnes while safely negotiating gradients of up to 1.6 per cent. “The engine power reliably ensures that transportation can start even under unfavourable conditions and that there are no breakdowns,” explained Helmut Alborn. For safety reasons, the braking system is equally powerful, consisting of the reinforced Turbo EVB engine brake and Intarder III which together generate 980 kW.

Express Global Logistics (EXG), member to the Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC) in India, completed a significant ocean freight operation, transporting a substantial cargo shipment from Northern China to Eastern India.

The project involved the transportation of 134 packages with a combined weight of 1,415.1 metric tons and a volume of 1,022.90 cubic meters. The shipment comprised 55 standard packages weighing 582,1 tons alongside 79 specialized packages weighing 883,5 tons, highlighting EXG’s capability to handle diverse cargo requirements within a single operation.

From the initial planning stages to final delivery, each phase of the operation was meticulously managed to ensure the cargo arrived safely and on schedule. EXG leveraged its strategic partnerships with key carriers and port authorities to optimize the shipping route and ensure smooth customs clearance processes. The company’s expertise in handling international shipping regulations between China and India was instrumental in avoiding potential delays.

A seamless transport of over 1400 tons of cargo demonstrates EXG’s capabilities in handling complex international shipments and reinforces the company’s position as a leading provider of ocean freight services in the Asia-Pacific region.

Kalmar has agreed a two-year extension to its Kalmar Complete Care service agreement with APM Terminals Algeciras.

The large order was booked in Kalmar’s Q4 2024 order intake, and the contract extension came into effect on 1 December 2024.

APM Terminals Algeciras is one of the largest terminals in the western Mediterranean. The terminal is located in the Strait of Gibraltar, on the main east/west shipping route through the Mediterranean. APM Terminals Algeciras is equipped to serve ultra-large container ships over 20,000 TEU and has an impressive track record of safety, efficiency and productivity.

Kalmar Complete Care is a comprehensive service solution that provides APM Terminals Algeciras with peace of mind and maximum equipment uptime. Kalmar has been collaborating with APMT Algeciras since 2008 and the service agreement covers all equipment at the terminal.

Keld Pedersen, Managing Director, West Med Hub Terminals, APM Terminals: “We chose to extend the existing service agreement because we value highly the professional and responsive service we have received from Kalmar’s dedicated team. Effective, efficient maintenance is essential in helping us to keep our equipment running safely and smoothly, which in turn ensures we can deliver the best possible service to our customers.”

Thomas Malmborg, President, Services, Kalmar: “We are very pleased to have extended our fruitful long-term collaboration with APM Terminals Algeciras and proud that they have chosen to continue to rely on our world-class service capabilities to keep their operations running reliably. Our relationship is one based on open cooperation, transparency and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.”

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that Daito Corporation (Daito), its consolidated subsidiary, has decided to procure funding through a green loan from Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

This loan will finance the construction of an electric tugboat (EV tug),*1 which was decided on November 8, 2024. It is scheduled to be completed in May 2027. The loan utilizes the Port of Yokohama – CNP Sustainable Finance Framework (the Framework),*2 established by the City of Yokohama.

The Framework is a use-of-proceeds specific framework aimed at promoting the decarbonization of the port. A Second Party Opinion*3 on the Framework has been obtained from DNV Business Assurance Japan K.K. (DNV), a third-party verification body. The construction of the EV tug is classified as a green project under “Clean Transportation” within the Framework, and a letter of conformance*3 for a green loan*4 has been obtained from DNV. Daito is the first company to utilize this Framework for financing. Moreover, this is the first case in Japan of a private company utilizing a use-of-proceeds specific framework developed by a municipality.

This vessel was highly valued for the integration of hull improvements, electrification, and new maneuvering equipment to achieve a transition to non-fossil energy and improve operational efficiency. The adoption of lithium-ion batteries as a non-fossil energy source is expected to achieve a CO2 emission reduction of approximately 60%.

The “K” LINE Group, under its long-term environmental policy, “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 — Blue Seas for the Future —,*5 establishes and operates the DRIVE GREEN NETWORK framework to promote environmental management, reflecting its commitment to environmental conservation. It will continue to advance efforts to support low-carbon and carbon-free for “K” LINE group and society and contribute to enhancing people’s quality of life.

Altius, a member of the Project Logistics Alliance representing Spain, Argentina, and Bolivia, recently completed a challenging operation—successfully shipping two 154-tonne transformers from China to the Quillagua photovoltaic solar plant in Chile.

The plant, a cutting-edge hybrid installation, combines renewable energy generation with an advanced energy storage system. However, its location in Chile’s Atacama Desert posed a significant challenge. Quillagua sits atop a steep hill, requiring transport over slopes of up to 15% on low-traction terrain.

This complex operation demanded meticulous planning and precise coordination, both of which Altius executed flawlessly. The successful delivery marks a major achievement for the company in renewable energy infrastructure development.

A significant logistics operation carried out for EKME S.A by Cosmatos Group, member to the Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC) for Greece, involved transporting vital refinery equipment from Thessaloniki Port to Hellenic Energy in Eleusis, Greece.

The operation required meticulous planning and execution, including handling port operations, Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo operations, cargo securing, and chartering a Greek-flagged ferry.

The shipment included two oversized units: Flexicoker Heater New Top Head; Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.9 x 5.49 meters; Weight: 96.00 metric tons; Handling: Lo-Lo operation using a port mobile crane

Steam Generator: Dimensions: 17.218 x 4.91 x 5.01 meters; Weight: 130.00 metric tons; Handling: Ro-Ro operation via the ferry’s ramp.

Cosmatos Group successfully executed the operation, ensuring the equipment reached its destination efficiently and securely.

Leading global logistics service provider, the Rhenus Group, is an official Halal Certified Logistics Provider in Indonesia with immediate effect.

The certification will allow Rhenus Indonesia to enhance safety and reliability across the entire supply chain to transport halal products, which are increasingly in demand.

The global halal sector is expected to grow substantially, exceeding $5 trillion in value until 2030. The Halal Product Assurance Agency under Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has also enforced mandatory halal certification which applies to all food products within Indonesia, and by 2026, to imported foods.

The certification is the latest third-party endorsement and standards attained from Rhenus for its Indonesia branch. Others include ISO Licensed 9001, 14001, 45001, IATA License/Certification, NVOCC license, and IMDG. With this certification, Rhenus Indonesia expects a growth of around 15% this year in handling halal commodities for halal-compliant industries.

Fabian Kieble, Managing Director of Rhenus Indonesia said, “As one of the few logistics providers who have received this certificate, Rhenus Indonesia is now in a better position to align our operations with the needs of the economy in the country. We will continue to grow and improve our business by offering the highest standard in service and tailor-made solutions for different industries. This is a great success and achievement made by the team here in Indonesia for our customers.”

With six offices in Indonesia, Rhenus provides a full suite of logistics services for industries including automotives, life sciences and healthcare, technology, industrial and consumer sectors.

Last week’s Freight Friday, highlighted a recent air shipment handled by Bertling Logistics, transporting 15 tons of cargo from Chicago to Arizona using our B-Cargo air freight service.

The shipment included a 98m-long piece, requiring crane lifts at both the origin and destination to ensure safe handling.

Thanks to the expertise of our Bertling Air Freight Logistics team in Düsseldorf, the cargo was delivered on time and seamlessly to our customer. Another great example of efficient planning and smooth execution!

Sarens’ operations sometimes have the cinematic feel of an espionage thriller: operating during the night, working within a narrow window of time, and deploying extremely well-honed expertise and specialised equipment, incredible feats are pulled off just before daybreak.

Recently, Sarens completed such a mission on behalf of client Viabuild, installing an iconic, one-of-a-kind bridge within a tight eight-hour window in the middle of the night. This 278-tonne bridge at the Vierarmen junction in Tervuren, Belgium, is unique: made entirely of European wood, it is the first wooden bridge of such size in Flanders.

To install this expansive structure, which floats over a span of nearly 70 metres, the Sarens technical team chose just the right equipment for the job, including SPMTs, jacks, transport stools, and CS250 towers. The CS250 towers were chosen because they could be installed below the pre-assembled bridge at 1,1 metres high, allowing the team to safely jack down at a faster pace and meet time constraints.

Sarens brought in equipment from all around Europe, with 24 trucks taking approximately one day to complete the journey. Assembly of the SPMTs and the transport structure then took only three days due to successful coordination and strategic pre-assembly at Sarens’ headquarters in Wolvertem.

The bridge’s manufacturer, Amann, not only calculated the bridge’s strength and deformations to help with installation, but also supplied custom-made wooden support blocks to be used between the transport equipment and the bridge, so as not to damage the bridge itself.

Using four CS250 towers, eight SPMTs, fixed transport stools, and four 100-tonne jacks, the crew transported and installed the bridge in mere hours. To achieve an installation at such speed would have been unheard of just a few years ago–and now, it is standard operating procedure, especially with Sarens’ engineering acumen and heavy-duty equipment on the job.

As part of the F29 cycle highway between Leuven and Brussels, this sustainable structure now safely ferries bicyclists and pedestrians over the Vierarmen junction: what was once a hazardous crossing is now safe for both bicycle traffic and pedestrian use. The Vierarmen bridge is part of the greater ‘Werken aan de Ring’ initiative, which is building safe paths, bridges, and tunnels to allow for smooth bicycle travel along and over the Ring.

Sarens would like to thank our client, Viabuild, for the opportunity to make this project a success–and to help bring safer cycling opportunities to the region.

FLS Projects Thailand, part of the FLS Group representing Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore in the Project Logistics Alliance, has once again demonstrated its expertise in handling complex logistics with the successful transport of a 36.5-ton distillation column lower section.

The oversized cargo was transported from Laem Chabang Port to Nakhon Sawan.

Measuring 20 x 3.3 x 4.8 meters, the column was originally shipped from Montreal, Canada, and was transhipped through Singapore by a project partner of FLS Projects Thailand before arriving at Laem Chabang. Upon arrival in Thailand as breakbulk on a container vessel, the FLS Projects Thailand team took over and managed the inland transport over a distance of 450 kilometres.

In addition to FLS Projects Thailand’s meticulous planning, a comprehensive route survey was conducted to accommodate the column’s height of 5.3 meters, ensuring a smooth and safe passage. The two-night journey proceeded along the planned route, delivering the cargo on schedule and enabling a seamless installation in Nakhon Sawan.

This successful operation showcases FLS Projects Thailand’s continued dedication to providing reliable, efficient logistics solutions for large-scale projects across the region.

“K” LINE LNG SHIPPING (UK) LIMITED, a London-based corporation wholly owned by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE), will be renamed “K” LINE ENERGY SHIPPING (UK) LIMITED (KLES) on April 1, 2025.

At the same time, the Carbon Neutral Development Group of “K” LINE (EUROPE) LIMITED, that develops a liquefied CO2 transportation business, will be integrated into KLES with the goal of reinforcing the business development activities and organizational structure of “K” LINE’s energy transportation business in Europe.

Europe is an advanced market leading low-carbon and decarbonization efforts. New solutions supporting the decarbonization of society, such as liquefied CO2 transportation solutions, are in demand.

KLES has refined its integrated marketing between shore and marine/technical teams, customer-centric support of sales and ship management, an area where the company has accumulated capabilities through its LNG transportation operations. It also proposes and provides high-quality transportation services and meticulously meets society’s needs regarding low-carbon and decarbonization solutions, including CCS.