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UPCARGO Logistics, our members from Panama, are glad to share the recent completion of a project involving the bridge cabin of a tugboat.

The logistics process began locally at the Port of Cristóbal, where UPCARGO’s highly-skilled team managed the receipt of the cargo.

An inspection of the area was conducted to ensure that the space was suitable, and the port crane was prepared with the appropriate capacity for cargo mobilisation.

Additionally, a safety plan was established to protect both workers and the cargo, a crucial step to avoid potential damage and ensure a smooth process.

The discharge of the tugboat bridge cabin was carried out with utmost precision, minimising risks and ensuring the integrity of the cargo.

The loading was performed on a low-bed trailer in a secure and efficient manner to minimise vibrations during transport.

UPCARGO conducted a thorough route study to identify potential obstacles and plan solutions to minimise risks.

They also provided escort services to ensure that the cargo reached its destination without incidents, complying with all current regulations and standards.

With a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency, UPCARGO are committed to being the ideal partner for those needing to transport large-scale cargo.

Through a carefully planned and executed process, they ensure the success of each project, from port reception to final delivery.

“At UPCARGO Logistics, our mission is to provide a comprehensive logistics service that meets the demands of today’s market.”

UPCARGO Logistics, our members from Panama, are glad to share the recent completion of a project involving the bridge cabin of a tugboat.

The logistics process began locally at the Port of Cristóbal, where UPCARGO’s highly-skilled team managed the receipt of the cargo.

An inspection of the area was conducted to ensure that the space was suitable, and the port crane was prepared with the appropriate capacity for cargo mobilisation.

Additionally, a safety plan was established to protect both workers and the cargo, a crucial step to avoid potential damage and ensure a smooth process.

The discharge of the tugboat bridge cabin was carried out with utmost precision, minimising risks and ensuring the integrity of the cargo.

The loading was performed on a low-bed trailer in a secure and efficient manner to minimise vibrations during transport.

UPCARGO conducted a thorough route study to identify potential obstacles and plan solutions to minimise risks.

They also provided escort services to ensure that the cargo reached its destination without incidents, complying with all current regulations and standards.

With a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency, UPCARGO are committed to being the ideal partner for those needing to transport large-scale cargo.

Through a carefully planned and executed process, they ensure the success of each project, from port reception to final delivery.

“At UPCARGO Logistics, our mission is to provide a comprehensive logistics service that meets the demands of today’s market.”

Energy and marine consultancy ABL has been appointed as marine warranty surveyor to support the marine transportation and installation (T&I) operations relating to the construction of the grid connection system known as Centre Manche 1 and Centre Manche 2, offshore Normandy, France.

Centre Manche 1 and Centre Manche 2 are part of two offshore wind projects – Appel d’Offre 4 (AO4) and Appel d’Offre 8 (AO8) – that aim to contribute towards the French government’s ambition of allocating 1 GW of offshore wind energy per year, from 2023 onwards.

Centre Manche 1 will connect the AO4 (1,050) offshore wind farm and part of AO8 (200MW) to the 400 kV substation at Menuel through a 100 km long DC export cable. Centre Manche 2 will connect the A08 offshore wind farm to the 400 kV substation at Tourbe via a 105 km long DC cable. Both offshore substations will each have a capacity of 1.25 GW.

ABL’s operations in France will act as marine warranty surveyor (MWS) for the transportation and installation campaign for the Centre Manche 1 and 2 offshore substations, the 100 km long DC export cable, and the three 2 km long interstation links.

The platforms will be sister topsides, with an estimated weight of 13,300 tonnes each, while the jackets will weigh approximately 7,000 tons each.

ABL’s scope of work will cover the technical review and approval of all T&I engineering documentation pertaining to warranted activities, participation to HAZID/HAZOP meetings, suitability surveys of the installation vessels, onshore and offshore attendances to approve the marine operations, and issue of certificates of approval.

“Being selected for this project reflects our technical reputation in the French market, particularly for T&I work for France’s offshore wind projects, including bottom-fixed platforms and subsea cables. Further to this, our in-house team of marine and engineering consultants draws upon experience from more than 330 offshore wind projects globally.” Hugues Delanoue, Regional Managing Director for ABL.

ABL’s expertise in offshore wind extends to a through-life technical offering with services to support from initial feasibility and concept development, through to engineering, marine advisory and ports and harbours infrastructure consultancy, to marine warranty survey to support at both construction, operational, and decommissioning phases.

“We have a proud history of involvement in our country’s expanding offshore wind market, supporting our French clients in the successful delivery of the three first operational windfarms in France, and now working to realise the next three offshore wind farms that are under construction.” Fabien Thomas, Head of MWS Services at ABL France.

The company’s work will begin in the third quarter of 2024 and continue until project delivery in 2032. ABL is part of Oslo-listed consultancy group ABL Group ASA.

Energy and marine consultancy ABL has been appointed as marine warranty surveyor to support the marine transportation and installation (T&I) operations relating to the construction of the grid connection system known as Centre Manche 1 and Centre Manche 2, offshore Normandy, France.

Centre Manche 1 and Centre Manche 2 are part of two offshore wind projects – Appel d’Offre 4 (AO4) and Appel d’Offre 8 (AO8) – that aim to contribute towards the French government’s ambition of allocating 1 GW of offshore wind energy per year, from 2023 onwards.

Centre Manche 1 will connect the AO4 (1,050) offshore wind farm and part of AO8 (200MW) to the 400 kV substation at Menuel through a 100 km long DC export cable. Centre Manche 2 will connect the A08 offshore wind farm to the 400 kV substation at Tourbe via a 105 km long DC cable. Both offshore substations will each have a capacity of 1.25 GW.

ABL’s operations in France will act as marine warranty surveyor (MWS) for the transportation and installation campaign for the Centre Manche 1 and 2 offshore substations, the 100 km long DC export cable, and the three 2 km long interstation links.

The platforms will be sister topsides, with an estimated weight of 13,300 tonnes each, while the jackets will weigh approximately 7,000 tons each.

ABL’s scope of work will cover the technical review and approval of all T&I engineering documentation pertaining to warranted activities, participation to HAZID/HAZOP meetings, suitability surveys of the installation vessels, onshore and offshore attendances to approve the marine operations, and issue of certificates of approval.

“Being selected for this project reflects our technical reputation in the French market, particularly for T&I work for France’s offshore wind projects, including bottom-fixed platforms and subsea cables. Further to this, our in-house team of marine and engineering consultants draws upon experience from more than 330 offshore wind projects globally.” Hugues Delanoue, Regional Managing Director for ABL.

ABL’s expertise in offshore wind extends to a through-life technical offering with services to support from initial feasibility and concept development, through to engineering, marine advisory and ports and harbours infrastructure consultancy, to marine warranty survey to support at both construction, operational, and decommissioning phases.

“We have a proud history of involvement in our country’s expanding offshore wind market, supporting our French clients in the successful delivery of the three first operational windfarms in France, and now working to realise the next three offshore wind farms that are under construction.” Fabien Thomas, Head of MWS Services at ABL France.

The company’s work will begin in the third quarter of 2024 and continue until project delivery in 2032. ABL is part of Oslo-listed consultancy group ABL Group ASA.

Rhenus, a leading international transportation and logistics provider with over 40,000 employees worldwide, announces the relocation of its Rhenus Road Venlo branch to a new, state-of-the-art facility in the Greenport Venlo area.

This move marks an important milestone in Rhenus Road’s continued growth and development in the Netherlands.

The new spacious site covers an impressive 71,980 square meters and offers advanced logistics solutions. One of the key features is the 12,000-square-meter cross-dock, specially equipped for inbound and outbound groupage shipments from the Road division, as well as regional domestic distribution. In addition, the facility features a spacious 15,750-square-meter warehouse with space for approximately 28,000 pallets.

“This move allows us to optimize our processes and serve our customers even more efficiently,” said Nick van Loon, Director of Rhenus Road Netherlands. “With all activities under one roof, we are taking an important step in our sustainable and innovative future.”

Sustainability and well-being are at the heart of the new site, which meets both BREEAM and WELL certifications. This underlines Rhenus’ commitment to environmentally friendly and people-oriented solutions in the logistics sector. In addition, the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art security measures, such as a sprinkler system and zone-based camera surveillance, ensuring the security of goods and operations.

The new facility is leading the way in sustainability, including one of the first electric truck loading docks. The move brings all employees in Venlo under one roof for the first time, further enhancing internal cooperation and efficiency.

Although the official opening is scheduled for Q1 2025, Rhenus Road Venlo will be fully operational as of 7 October 2024.

Lhyfe, one of the world’s pioneers in the production of green and renewable hydrogen*, and Elyse Energy, a European specialist in the production of low-carbon molecules, have announced that they plan to jointly develop the production of e-methanol** from green renewable hydrogen at the heart of the Loire estuary’s industrial and logistics port ecosystem.

This project, known as Green Coast, is of major importance for the area and for the entire maritime transport sector, which is seeking to achieve decarbonisation.

Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port has been committed for several years to decarbonising its activities, which are still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. This transition to energies that are more respectful of the climate and the environment has become a requirement for competitiveness, and even survival, for European ports. This ambition is supported at all levels, in particular by the Pays de la Loire Region and the Saint-Nazaire Agglomération urban community, which are actively supporting the transition underway in the Nantes Saint-Nazaire industrial port area. Indeed, decarbonisation is stimulating the emergence of a new industrial fabric in the region, with European-scale projects creating new long-term jobs linked to these sectors. The Loire Estuaire Décarbonation ZIBaC programme will ensure consistency and the development of strong industrial synergies between the various decarbonisation projects in the estuary area.

The Green Coast project is part of the Loire Estuaire Décarbonation pathway.

In late 2023, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port selected Lhyfe to set up an industrial production and distribution operation for green hydrogen*. At the time, Lhyfe presented its plans to build an industrial unit with a renewable green hydrogen production capacity of up to 85 tonnes per day (installed electrolysis capacity of 210 MW), in Montoir-de-Bretagne, to the north of the Multivrac terminal, by 2028.

Nearby, Elyse Energy has positioned itself to produce renewable fuel in the industrial port zone. A synergy between these two project leaders led to the signing of an exclusive agreement to study the feasibility of producing e-methanol** from Lhyfe’s green hydrogen, in order to decarbonise maritime transport. The rest of the production would be used to decarbonise mobility and industry locally (see the financial press release published last July).

This project, called Green Coast, will be located at the Montoir-de-Bretagne industrial port hub, near the quayside.

Elyse plans to produce 150,000 tonnes of e-methanol a year at the site.

Green Coast, which fits in fully with the local industrial context, is part of the Loire Estuaire Décarbonation initiative, supported by France 2030 via the Low Carbon Industrial Zone or ZIBaC call for projects, and led by ADELE, which includes Saint-Nazaire Agglomération, the Estuaire & Sillon association of municipalities, the Pays de la Loire Region, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port and the Association des Industriels Loire Estuaire (AILE).

The project is currently under development, and is subject to the granting of operating licences, building permits and financial investment decisions. The conclusions of the initial studies will be communicated during 2025.

Decarbonising maritime transport is a key challenge for achieving the dual objective of carbon neutrality and an exit from fossil fuels. The shipping sector, which handles 80% of world trade, accounts for 14% of CO2 emissions from transport in Europe, and is firmly committed to decarbonisation, with several sustainable options for ship propulsion.

E-methanol** produced from renewable green hydrogen* is one of the keys to decarbonising this sector.

*Renewable green renewable hydrogen: more than 95% of the hydrogen produced today – so-called “grey” hydrogen – is derived from fossil fuels. “Renewable green” hydrogen, which is beginning to develop, is produced by electrolysis of water, and therefore requires two components: water and renewable electricity. Its production emits very little CO2 (1 kg of CO2 for 1 kg of green H2 compared with 10 kg of CO2 for 1 kg of grey H2). When this hydrogen is used, the water molecule reforms, emitting only water vapour. Lhyfe, a world pioneer in this technology, has been producing green hydrogen since 2021 and is encouraging the development of a virtuous value chain.

**E-methanol: Methanol, which is the most basic alcohol and a liquid at atmospheric pressure, is a molecule used in the manufacturing processes of many everyday products, such as cosmetics, medicines, resins, plastics, paints etc. Although methanol is currently produced almost exclusively from coal and natural gas, low-carbon alternatives have been emerging for several years, in particular e-methanol produced from hydrogen. The production of e-methanol involves using low-carbon hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water and carbon recycled from industrial processes. Elyse Energy is one of Europe’s leading players in e-fuels.

Although e-methanol production is currently limited to a few thousand tonnes a year in Iceland, the sector is developing rapidly, with nearly 60 major industrial projects under construction around the world, notably in China, Sweden, Denmark, North America and France.

France has two major competitive advantages to support the emergence of e-methanol and turn it into a significant green reindustrialisation opportunity – a low-carbon electricity mix and integrated chemical platforms capable of providing the necessary skills and infrastructure. With nearly 600,000 tonnes of fossil methanol imported each year by French manufacturers, and growing demand from major players in the maritime sector for methanol-powered ships, e-methanol offers an opportunity to repatriate production while helping to establish a French industry of excellence.

Jean-Rémy Villageois, Chairman of the Management Board of Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port: “With 70% of its maritime traffic reliant on fossil fuels, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port is at the centre of a profound change of model that is fully integrated into its strategy. Our company is focusing on the energies of tomorrow to meet the challenges of climate change. As a national energy hub, the Port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire, supported by the region’s economic and institutional players, has taken action on numerous fronts to accelerate its transition and become a low-carbon energy hub by 2050. The Green Coast project, led by Lhyfe and Elyse, adds a new brick to the decarbonisation of the Loire Estuaire industrial area, and also echoes the GO CO2 project to capture and recycle the unavoidable and biogenic CO2 emitted by industrial companies in Pays de la Loire and western France. Green Coast is fully in line with the decarbonisation targets set at European and national level, as are all the actions belonging to the roadmap we have collectively set ourselves to make a success of this transition.”

Tristan LUCAZEAU, President of ADELE: “The Loire Estuaire Décarbonation initiative, led by a group of industrial and public-sector players and steered by the ADELE association, aims to bring about ecological, energy and economic transition in the region, with a view to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Having won the Low Carbon Industrial Zone call for projects by ADEME and France 2030, Loire Estuaire Décarbonation builds on around twenty projects with the aim of accelerating the transformation of this industrial port area. The Green Coast project is fully in line with this process, through its capacity to massively decarbonise a major part of our economy, namely maritime transport.”

David Samzun, President of Saint-Nazaire Agglo: “We are proud of the history of industry in Saint-Nazaire. At the same time, we are aware of its heavy dependence on fossil fuels. Between the Loire estuary, the Brière marshes and the ocean, we know the beauty and fragility of our surroundings. There is an urgent need to protect these commons, and here too we want to put the power of industry at the service of ecology. That’s what we’ve achieved by becoming home to France’s first offshore wind farm, which is now supplying the Loire-Atlantique region with low-carbon energy. This is what we want to achieve tomorrow, together with our industrial and port partners, by responding to the Low Carbon Industrial Zone challenge. Encouraging innovation, decarbonising industry, inventing new value chains, gaining resilience and sovereignty. The challenge is to integrate economic and ecological approaches, and I’m delighted to see and support the Green Coast project, which is ideally located within the industrial ecosystem of our area.”

Christelle Morançais, President of the Pays de la Loire Region: “The decarbonization of our territory, particularly seaport activities, is a lever for attractiveness, industrial dynamism, and development for our region. As President of the Supervisory Board of the Grand Port and President of the Region, I am particularly proud to be able to count on regional gems like Lhyfe – alongside the Lyon-based company Elyse – to bring an innovative solution for maritime decarbonization. Our public-private collective is determined to pursue the ambition of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This project is a testament to the commitment of our companies to ecology, recognizing that they are moving forward to meet the challenges of innovation, green technologies, and progress to create decarbonized sectors that will make the Pays de la Loire attractive tomorrow.”

Pascal Penicaud, CEO Elyse Energy: “Climate change is the challenge of the century. Scientists keep reminding us of this, report after report. The path is both simple and ambitious. To limit its effects and scale, we need to decarbonise all industries, and we need to do it now. We decided to create Elyse to be part of this fight. Our mission is to provide sustainable fuels that are adapted to existing infrastructure, heavy transport and industry. We are delighted to be joining forces with Lhyfe to fight this battle together, at the heart of the Nantes Saint-Nazaire industrial port area, with the Green Coast project. The e-methanol produced by the project will provide a local, low-carbon solution for the shipping industry, while drastically reducing emissions of atmospheric pollutants from ships and contributing to the region’s industrial vitality.”

Matthieu Guesné, Founder and CEO of Lhyfe: “This project, located at the heart of the Nantes Saint-Nazaire industrial port ecosystem, is a beacon of hope. There is an urgent need to move towards a more frugal consumer society, but also to put in place cleaner and safer solutions to decarbonise the uses that we cannot eliminate. E-methanol produced from green hydrogen is one of these solutions, which is particularly well suited to the shipping industry. At Lhyfe, we have been producing green hydrogen since 2021, in the Vendée region in particular, and already have four production sites in Europe. We have mastered this clean technology – our top priorities are the future of our children and the safety of our sites. We now want to put our experience at the disposal of the region, to contribute to the massive decarbonisation of maritime transport and, more broadly, of local industry and mobility. We know Saint-Nazaire well, having built our pioneering Sealhyfe platform there. Together with Elyse, and with the support of the region, we are proud to be leading this important project for the future.”

To further enhance the liner service to the northernmost port in the WALLENIUS SOL network, WALLENIUS SOL and BB Logistics have signed a long-term agreement to offer warehouse services in Kemi, effective from 1st January 2025.

THE CONTRACT includes a 12,000 m² warehouse in the Port of Kemi, which will be operated by BB Logistics. This collaboration will enable WALLENIUS SOL to offer comprehensive warehousing solutions for its customers on the weekly liner service to Kemi.

“Through this agreement, we are securing essential warehousing capacity in Kemi, which is vital for meeting the increasing demand in the region. This capacity will support both ongoing projects and the steady flow of regular cargo in the years to come,” says Jonas Wåhlin, Chief Commercial Officer at WALLENIUS SOL.

The Port of Kemi is well connected within the WALLENIUS SOL network, linking major cargo hubs such as Travemünde, Zeebrugge, and Antwerp.

Cargo arriving in containers, trailers, cassettes, or SECUs will be efficiently unloaded into the warehouse for storage and further distribution across northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

“We take great pride in serving the logistical needs of northern Finland and Sweden through the port of Kemi. Our strong partnership between WALLENIUS SOL and BB Logistics, enables us to swiftly address the challenges of the logistics sector,” says Kim Lindström, International sales, BB Logistics.

On the export side, the warehouse will serve as a key hub for the consolidation and storage of goods, ensuring efficient and smooth handling of outbound shipments.

“The region is rapidly developing, driven by major industrial investments, particularly in green technologies. Our Enabler vessels provide a sustainable shipping solution that supports these projects and the expected growth in exports.”

To further enhance the liner service to the northernmost port in the WALLENIUS SOL network, WALLENIUS SOL and BB Logistics have signed a long-term agreement to offer warehouse services in Kemi, effective from 1st January 2025.

THE CONTRACT includes a 12,000 m² warehouse in the Port of Kemi, which will be operated by BB Logistics. This collaboration will enable WALLENIUS SOL to offer comprehensive warehousing solutions for its customers on the weekly liner service to Kemi.

“Through this agreement, we are securing essential warehousing capacity in Kemi, which is vital for meeting the increasing demand in the region. This capacity will support both ongoing projects and the steady flow of regular cargo in the years to come,” says Jonas Wåhlin, Chief Commercial Officer at WALLENIUS SOL.

The Port of Kemi is well connected within the WALLENIUS SOL network, linking major cargo hubs such as Travemünde, Zeebrugge, and Antwerp.

Cargo arriving in containers, trailers, cassettes, or SECUs will be efficiently unloaded into the warehouse for storage and further distribution across northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

“We take great pride in serving the logistical needs of northern Finland and Sweden through the port of Kemi. Our strong partnership between WALLENIUS SOL and BB Logistics, enables us to swiftly address the challenges of the logistics sector,” says Kim Lindström, International sales, BB Logistics.

On the export side, the warehouse will serve as a key hub for the consolidation and storage of goods, ensuring efficient and smooth handling of outbound shipments.

“The region is rapidly developing, driven by major industrial investments, particularly in green technologies. Our Enabler vessels provide a sustainable shipping solution that supports these projects and the expected growth in exports.”

The collaboration aims to drive the rollout of FLOW technology in the Celtic Sea by combining ABP’s port infrastructure in Port Talbot, with Sarens’ extensive global experience for large-scale offshore and floating wind projects.

On October 2024, Sarens, the global leader and reference in crane rental services, heavy lifting, and engineering transport, and Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator, entered into a strategic collaboration that aims to explore solutions to deliver Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea.

The collaboration aims to drive the rollout of FLOW technology in the Celtic Sea by combining ABP’s port infrastructure in Port Talbot, with Sarens’ extensive global experience in providing heavy lifting and transport solutions for large-scale offshore and floating wind projects. With over 65 years of global experience, Sarens – a family-run business – has been instrumental in delivering offshore wind projects across key international markets, including the USA, Europe, Taiwan and South Korea. Sarens’ ability to provide complex engineering solutions has set them apart as a trusted partner for the most challenging offshore projects.

The collaboration focuses on exploring the necessary technical and logistical requirements for the deployment of FLOW at Port Talbot and marks a significant milestone for ABP’s Future Port Talbot programme, which is designed to transform the port into a major hub for FLOW and green energy development.

Andy Reay, Head of Offshore Wind at ABP, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Sarens, a company with a proven track record in delivering heavy lifting solutions for major offshore wind projects globally. For over 30 years, ABP has been at the forefront of delivering for offshore wind customers, and one of the biggest clean energy opportunities for the UK is the development of Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) in Wales. ABP is progressing plans to invest more than £500 million in new and repurposed infrastructure at Port Talbot to create a hub for FLOW, which has the potential to generate thousands of new, high-quality jobs and attract billions of pounds in inward investment. What ABP plans for Port Talbot represents another step towards our ambitions to be at the forefront of the UK’s net zero journey.”

Bev Bentley, Director of Strategic Global Projects at Sarens, added: “We are thrilled to collaborate with ABP on this innovative venture. Our global experience in offshore wind projects, combined with ABP’s infrastructure, will pave the way for a successful rollout of FLOW in the Celtic Sea. At Sarens, we are committed to driving the growth of renewable energy by providing cutting-edge lifting and transport solutions that are both sustainable and efficient. This collaboration reflects our ongoing dedication to playing a pivotal role in the global energy transition.”

This strategic collaboration underscores Sarens’ commitment to offshore wind projects globally, while positioning ABP and Port Talbot as key players in the growth of the FLOW industry.

ABP and Sarens look forward to working closely with the local supply chain to leverage local knowledge and skills in order to progress the collaboration.

Hiab, part of Cargotec, is transforming the industry with the launch of its new autonomous load handling capabilities for MULTILIFT demountables – the L2 Driver Support assistance technology.

This innovation marks a significant leap forward in automated operations, aligning with Hiab’s strategic commitment to enhancing safety, efficiency, and addressing the growing shortage of experienced drivers in the transport industry.

The introduction of these advanced driver assistance features aims to simplify the process of loading and unloading containers and cargo bodies, which typically require significant skill and precision. By automating complex manoeuvres such as reversing and positioning, Hiab is offering a solution that reduces the risk of errors and accidents while increasing overall operational efficiency.

“At Hiab, we are focused on providing innovative solutions that help our customers overcome the daily challenges of modern logistics,” said Hannu Hyttinen, Director of R&D at Hiab. “With our new autonomous capabilities, we’re bringing a level of support that will enhance safety and ease of operation, particularly in industries facing driver shortages and high demand for efficient deliveries.”

Figure: The L2 Driver Support feature automatically reverses the truck into position, aligning it with the front of the container for pickup. The driver initiates the process with the push of a button and monitors the safety of the intended operation via the augmented view on in-cabin screen. The feature utilises the truck’s off-the-shelf motion control interface.

Hiab’s new L2 Driver Support feature automates one of the most difficult aspects of load handling – reversing the vehicle into the optimal position for loading or unloading. The L2 Driver Support feature is equipped with robust safety protocols, adhering to international standards like ISO 26262 and aligning with the EU’s General Safety Regulation. This ensures that the technology is not only efficient but also meets the highest safety requirements for road operations. By reducing the need for manual precision and eliminating common errors, Hiab’s solution helps safeguard both the driver and surrounding assets from potential damage during complex load-handling tasks.

Hiab is a leader in automation solutions in the truck equipment industry. As early as 2019, Hiab launched HiVision for MULTILIFT hooklifts that can detect containers for guidance to reversing and lifting. In addition, Hiab designed and implemented the steering system for a self-driving truck in 2020. Hiab’s new L2 Driver Support technology is laying the foundation for further advancements in autonomous load handling. As the industry continues to evolve, Hiab remains at the forefront of innovation, developing solutions that complement the autonomous vehicle technologies emerging from leading truck Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

3p Logistics are glad to report on a project shipment they recently completed from the Netherlands to the United Arab Emirates via Belgium.

The cargo for this project involved a gangway/telescopic access bridge for the offshore industry, measuring 14.5 (H) x 2.74 (W) x 3.36 (H) meters with an impressive weight of 19,000 kilograms.

3p Logistics covered a wide scope of work, including:Transport from pick-up in the Netherlands to Antwerp by lowbed semi-trailer; All handlings & port operations in Antwerp; Documentation & customs; Loading onto mafi trailer, stuffing, securing & covering of cargo for sea transport to UAE; RO/RO to the Port of Jebel Ali; Global Project Manager at 3p Logistics, Ilya Goncharov, offered his comments below.

“Telescopic access bridges allow for safe and easy transfer of personnel and cargo to & from offshore structures. It is suitable for a variety of vessels and operational situations.”

As Global Project Manager at 3p Logistics Industrial Projects, Mr. Goncharov is responsible for many such shipments worldwide, and for this oversized cargo from the Netherlands to the UAE.

The New Wear Footbridge will play a key role in Riverside Sunderland – connecting pedestrian and cyclist traffic from the city center to the Stadium of Light – home of Sunderland AFC.

Mammoet was faced with the challenge of performing the heavy lifts in a busy city, and to enable its construction in a few modules as possible, simplifying the overall schedule.

As an expert in efficient bridge installation projects and smart site management, Mammoet was appointed to oversee the smooth delivery and heavy lifting of the bridge sections.

The 250-meter bridge was fabricated in Ghent, Belgium by Victor Buyck Steel Construction. Weighing 1,150t, it comprises four sections that needed to be shipped from Belgium and installed in Sunderland.

Working closely with the Belgium-based marine heavy-lift specialist HEBO, Mammoet arranged for the four bridge sections to the shipped via two voyages spaced a month apart.

This Just-in-Time approach allowed enough space for the operations team at Mammoet to install the first two sections and prepare for the arrival of the remaining two.

The team was first mobilized on the north side of the river, ready to receive and lift the first two sections from a barge using an LR 11350 crawler crane. The first two bridge sections were lifted from the barge onto concrete plinths close to the water’s edge.

The team then dismantled the crane and relocated to the south side of the river, ready to receive the second delivery. One more bridge section was placed on plinths, then the final and largest section, measuring 105 meters, was lifted from the barge using strand jacks connected to the previously installed sections.

Strand jacks were necessary as the crawler crane didn’t have the capacity to perform the heavy lift of the final center section, which was 300t heavier than the other parts. The alternative would be to erect the bridge in five sections, which would have lengthened the project schedule.

The crawler crane came directly from another project at the Port of Nigg, Scotland. Its parts were transported to Sunderland using 50 conventional trailers, which caused a challenge in scheduling.
“During assembly of a crawler crane, you need to bring in each section as you would build it,” explains Richard Gatenby, Project Manager at Mammoet.

“We needed to make sure that as the crane was coming from Nigg, the trailers were arriving in the right order and there was no breakdown in communication. We sent the client our transport schedule and plan, so they were aware of what was moving and when”.

There were other challenges the team overcame during the project. The barges could be positioned in a general mirroring spot in the middle of the river, but due to the changing water heights there were limited opportunities to move them to the river’s edge. This was managed carefully to ensure the waterway was kept as clear as possible.

Due to the bridge’s curved bottom, when the sections were placed flat on conventional trailers, their angled tops meant one end sat higher than the other. During the heavy lift, careful jacking was needed to rotate them and get them into the correct position.

A similar challenge occurred when the heavy transport of the sections was taking place in Belgium. They needed to be jacked up at one end to level the height and clear low bridges along canals.

Restrictions on space at the south side of the river also meant that a temporary laydown area, the Port of Sunderland, had to be utilized – not for the bridge sections, but for the crawler crane.

“When you take the crane apart it is the boom sections that are removed first,” explains Gatenby.
“So, we remove those, take them to the port and then eventually we can get to the main structure of the crane. “If we took the boom section to the south side straight away, there just wouldn’t be enough room to store everything until we could get the main structure there”.

With space at the site limited, a smart delivery and installation approach was essential to ensure a smooth, safe and efficient operation. This project demonstrates how Mammoet’s early involvement can help customers plan for a multitude of heavy-lift challenges – even when site space is a challenge.

Exciting times at AntwerpXL

Busy start to the eve.

3p Logistics are glad to report on a project shipment they recently completed from the Netherlands to the United Arab Emirates via Belgium.

The cargo for this project involved a gangway/telescopic access bridge for the offshore industry, measuring 14.5 (H) x 2.74 (W) x 3.36 (H) meters with an impressive weight of 19,000 kilograms.

3p Logistics covered a wide scope of work, including: Transport from pick-up in the Netherlands to Antwerp by lowbed semi-trailer; All handlings & port operations in Antwerp; Documentation & customs; Loading onto mafi trailer, stuffing, securing & covering of cargo for sea transport to UAE; RO/RO to the Port of Jebel Ali; Global Project Manager at 3p Logistics, Ilya Goncharov, offered his comments below.

“Telescopic access bridges allow for safe and easy transfer of personnel and cargo to & from offshore structures. It is suitable for a variety of vessels and operational situations.”

As Global Project Manager at 3p Logistics Industrial Projects, Mr. Goncharov is responsible for many such shipments worldwide, and for this oversized cargo from the Netherlands to the UAE.

The New Wear Footbridge will play a key role in Riverside Sunderland – connecting pedestrian and cyclist traffic from the city center to the Stadium of Light – home of Sunderland AFC.

Mammoet was faced with the challenge of performing the heavy lifts in a busy city, and to enable its construction in a few modules as possible, simplifying the overall schedule.

As an expert in efficient bridge installation projects and smart site management, Mammoet was appointed to oversee the smooth delivery and heavy lifting of the bridge sections.

The 250-meter bridge was fabricated in Ghent, Belgium by Victor Buyck Steel Construction. Weighing 1,150t, it comprises four sections that needed to be shipped from Belgium and installed in Sunderland.

Working closely with the Belgium-based marine heavy-lift specialist HEBO, Mammoet arranged for the four bridge sections to the shipped via two voyages spaced a month apart.

This Just-in-Time approach allowed enough space for the operations team at Mammoet to install the first two sections and prepare for the arrival of the remaining two.

The team was first mobilized on the north side of the river, ready to receive and lift the first two sections from a barge using an LR 11350 crawler crane. The first two bridge sections were lifted from the barge onto concrete plinths close to the water’s edge.

The team then dismantled the crane and relocated to the south side of the river, ready to receive the second delivery. One more bridge section was placed on plinths, then the final and largest section, measuring 105 meters, was lifted from the barge using strand jacks connected to the previously installed sections.

Strand jacks were necessary as the crawler crane didn’t have the capacity to perform the heavy lift of the final center section, which was 300t heavier than the other parts. The alternative would be to erect the bridge in five sections, which would have lengthened the project schedule.

The crawler crane came directly from another project at the Port of Nigg, Scotland. Its parts were transported to Sunderland using 50 conventional trailers, which caused a challenge in scheduling.
“During assembly of a crawler crane, you need to bring in each section as you would build it,” explains Richard Gatenby, Project Manager at Mammoet.

“We needed to make sure that as the crane was coming from Nigg, the trailers were arriving in the right order and there was no breakdown in communication. We sent the client our transport schedule and plan, so they were aware of what was moving and when”.

There were other challenges the team overcame during the project. The barges could be positioned in a general mirroring spot in the middle of the river, but due to the changing water heights there were limited opportunities to move them to the river’s edge. This was managed carefully to ensure the waterway was kept as clear as possible.

Due to the bridge’s curved bottom, when the sections were placed flat on conventional trailers, their angled tops meant one end sat higher than the other. During the heavy lift, careful jacking was needed to rotate them and get them into the correct position.

A similar challenge occurred when the heavy transport of the sections was taking place in Belgium. They needed to be jacked up at one end to level the height and clear low bridges along canals.

Restrictions on space at the south side of the river also meant that a temporary laydown area, the Port of Sunderland, had to be utilized – not for the bridge sections, but for the crawler crane.

“When you take the crane apart it is the boom sections that are removed first,” explains Gatenby.
“So, we remove those, take them to the port and then eventually we can get to the main structure of the crane. “If we took the boom section to the south side straight away, there just wouldn’t be enough room to store everything until we could get the main structure there”.

With space at the site limited, a smart delivery and installation approach was essential to ensure a smooth, safe and efficient operation. This project demonstrates how Mammoet’s early involvement can help customers plan for a multitude of heavy-lift challenges – even when site space is a challenge.

The first of the hydrogen-powered Rhenus barges is currently in the decisive phase of the shipyard test runs.

Each of these three ships is undergoing intensive testing to ensure the highest standards of sustainability and technical innovation. The aim is to optimally prepare the ships for the final test run and the subsequent approval for operation.

First test runs for hydrogen powered Rhenus bargesFirst test runs for hydrogen powered Rhenus barges
Rhenus is taking another important step towards low-emission shipping with the development of its innovative, hydrogen-powered inland waterway vessels. The current test runs mark an important step in the construction process, during which the ships are put through their paces. Particular attention is being paid to fine-tuning the sophisticated electronic systems and checking all technical components.

One focus of the tests is on the powerful combination of fuel cell system and modern battery system. The 840 kWh battery acts as a peak load buffer and at the same time ensures that the ship remains operational even in emergencies. Two fuel cells convert hydrogen into electrical energy, and additional cells can be added if required to further increase efficiency.

In addition to the hydrogen technology, marinized truck diesel engines with an output of 350 kW each are used to ensure operability on long-distance journeys if required. In addition, the all-electric bow thruster is being tested, which ensures precise maneuvers and is powered by a powerful electric motor. Thanks to the tailor-made reversing and reduction gears of the two synchronous electric motors with an output of 960 kW, noise levels are kept to a minimum.

The test runs also include a comprehensive check of the fuel cell system and the battery under various load conditions to ensure that all systems function reliably. At the same time, cooling of the fuel cell system is ensured by two circuits for high and low temperatures.

Rhenus is setting new standards in inland shipping with these innovative technologies and is paving the way for the ships to be approved for transport, which is expected to take place in the coming months.

The UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) has already granted special approval for the use of hydrogen as a form of propulsion. This has not yet been approved for the transportation of dangerous goods. This makes the Rhenus ship the first inland waterway vessel of its kind to be allowed to travel on the Rhine powered by hydrogen.

Reference is made to the stock exchange announcement dated 12 September 2024 regarding ABL Group entering into an agreement acquire 100 percent of the shares of Hidromod.

The transaction has been successfully completed today.

Hidromod is Portugal’s leading consultancy in water management solutions and numerical modelling. Through this acquisition, ABL Group expands its service offering to water management consultancy to support offshore, coastal and inland assets and projects, including with Hidromod’s proprietary subscription-based software AquaSafe. The deal will also enhance existing offerings in ports and harbours consultancy and in climate change risk assessment and adaptation.