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Ask Florian Färber, the Head of Cranes and Special Load Transportation at Richi AG, and he will tell you that it is as though the Tadano AC 3.045-1 City had been made specifically for his company: “Its extremely compact design makes it extraordinarily maneuverable, and that’s exactly what’s needed for the type of terrain we have in Switzerland, where space is often very tight.

On top of that, its latest engine generation, together with its particulate filter, meets the stringent emission requirements here in Switzerland – not to mention, of course, that Tadano City cranes are exceptionally reliable,” he says while naming what he considers to be some of the crucial advantages behind the AC 3.045-1 City. And he speaks from experience. After all, the team at Richi AG was already more than satisfied with the preceding model, which is why it was remarkably easy for the Swiss crane experts to decide to acquire the current Tadano AC 3.045-1 City. The new crane was handed over by Tadano Sales Manager Michael Zieger at Richi’s premises in Weiningen.

What Florian Färber likes the most about the current Tadano AC 3.045-1 City is its higher engine output when compared to its predecessor, as well as rear axle steering that makes the crane extremely maneuverable. But he also found the machine’s technical specifications to be particularly impressive: The clincher there was the machine’s immense strength when telescoping under load, not to mention its Flex Base outrigger system, which makes it possible to extend the machine’s outriggers to any point within their range even in asymmetrical configurations, maximizing lifting capacities at work sites where space is at a premium.

Richi ordered the crane with a 6x4x6 drivetrain and will be using it, among other things, for indoor projects. The model’s design makes it perfect for this kind of work – which the company’s unit has in fact already shown.

EFS Logistics, a member of the Project Logistics Alliance representing Saudi Arabia, successfully managed a complex shipment of inflatable boats that required innovative problem-solving and efficient logistics coordination.

This challenging opportunity was presented to EFS Logistics by an overseas partner in the United States of America. The shipment was initially planned to sail directly from the USA to Aqaba, Jordan. However, due to tensions in the Red Sea region, an unexpected route change was necessary. As a result, the cargo was shipped to Dammam Port, Saudi Arabia. After that, EFS Logistics was tasked with overseeing the land transit operation from Dammam Port to Aqaba Port.

The transported cargo included two inflatable boats on their own trailers, each weighing 6,124 kg. Each boat measured 1,362 cm in length, 323 cm in width, and 379 cm in height.

The main challenge faced by EFS Logistics was the instability in the region, which prevented the execution of the original plan to sail directly to Aqaba using a Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) service. The cancellation by the carrier due to the present circumstances required quick adaptation to ensure the timely and safe delivery of the cargo. EFS Logistics swiftly provided a solution by rerouting the shipment. The boats were delivered from Dammam Port to Aqaba Port in the shortest time frame possible.

Team EFS Logistics arranged the shipment to be transported by land as transit cargo by meticulously planning and executing the following steps: Coordination: EFS Logistics coordinated with various stakeholders, including port authorities and transportation partners, to ensure a smooth transition from sea to land transport; Customs Clearance: Efficient handling of customs procedures at Dammam Port to facilitate a seamless transit process; Secure Transit: Ensuring the boats were securely transported overland while adhering to all safety regulations and guidelines; Communication: Maintaining clear communication with the client, providing regular updates on the shipment’s status, and handling any concerns promptly.

The shipment was delivered safely and promptly to Aqaba Port. This project demonstrates EFS Logistics’ ability to adapt to changing circumstances and handle complex logistical challenges to deliver solutions that meet clients’ needs.

Congratulations to the EFS Logistics team on their successful implementation of a project that highlights their commitment to providing innovative solutions.

ATS Netherlands were honoured to receive a beautiful project involving the transport of a racing boat mast for the Swiss Alinghi Red Bull team, based in Barcelona.

This mast was handmade in Auckland, New Zealand and flew over with Singapore Airlines in a 747 aircraft, arriving at Amsterdam Airport.

ATS Netherlands received aid from an air agent, who handled all operations at the airport.

This job required specific organisation due to the sheer length of the mast.

ATS Netherlands managed this challenge efficiently, lifting and loading the mast carefully onto a truck, where the final total transport length measured around 35 meters.

“We wish the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team good luck by installing this mast on their boat, and all the best with their races in the coming months.

“K” Line Wind Service Ltd (KWS), a subsidiary of the “K” LINE Group, and Acteon, the international marine energy and infrastructure services business, have signed a non-exclusive memorandum of understanding (MOU) that sets out how the companies will use each other’s skills and services to collaboratively support the Japan’s Floating Offshore Wind project including demonstration and commercial projects.

InterMoor, Acteon’s moorings and anchors brand, will provide comprehensive mooring, transportation and installation engineering support to KWS for the desktop study of the commercial project and to support the offshore installation of the demo project.

Acteon provides mooring solutions for all types of floating assets, from design and engineering to decommissioning. These include anchor and mooring system construction; floating infrastructure positioning and hooking up; mooring installation and inspection; maintenance, repair and replacement services; and late-life disposal services.

KWS has been actively engaged in the field of Floating Offshore wind. In the Japan’s Floating Offshore Wind Research and Development program, NEDO Green Innovation Fund Phase 1, KWS conducted intensive research for efficient mooring methods for large-scale Floating Offshore Wind farms. For conducting actual towing and mooring of floating assets for demonstration and commercial projects, KWS aims to provide safer and more efficient transportation and installation services with InterMoor’s engineering support.
“We can ensure the success and efficiency of this critical project,” says Barry Parsons, Chief Commercial Officer, Acteon, “by combining our expertise and resources in engineering and offshore installations with KWS’s capabilities.”

“Acteon is an ideal collaboration partner,” says Teruki Kuramoto, President of KWS. “They have a proven history of fixed and floating wind innovation. Combined with the “K” LINE Group’s expertise in operating Offshore Support Vessels, we will help to drive innovation and sustainability in floating offshore wind energy in Japan.”

When it comes to lifting and moving particularly heavy loads, the team at Italian crane service provider Vernazza Autogru is especially fond of the powerful lattice boom crawler cranes made by Tadano – no surprise then that this included lifting two bridge sections with a weight of 500 and 290 tonnes for a bridge structure at the Porto di Prà shipyard on behalf of shipbuilding company Fincantieri.

The loads consisted of bridge sections built with a composite construction made of steel girders and a concrete deck on top. These sections had to be lifted onto pillars with utmost precision. “These demanding lifts needed cranes that would not just be able to lift extremely heavy loads, but also to move them while suspended in the air. And to tell you the truth, the only candidates qualified for the job were our two Tadano lattice boom crawler cranes,” explains Marco Galli, who was responsible for the project.

Before the actual job could be carried out, however, the two cranes had to be transported from Vernazza’s headquarters in Vado Ligure to the work site in Porto di Prà and set up there. Once the machines were at their destination, the crane experts at Vernazza took a mere eight days to set up the CC 68.1250-1 and five to set up the CC 38.650-1. “However, we had to relocate the large CC 68.1250-1 during the work and completely dismantle it in order to rebuild it elsewhere. The assembly-friendly design of the Tadano CC cranes was very helpful, so we were able to master that particular challenge without issue,” reports Marco Galli, who also finds the tremendous reliability and extremely sensitive maneuverability of Tadano CC lattice boom crawler cranes to be invaluable.

Both the reliability and maneuverability proved to be crucial for the job. After all, the lifting work had to be completed within set timeframes at the port’s access area, and this without having any impact on the heavy traffic there other than where absolutely necessary. Specifically,

Vernazza had to carry out the lifts at this traffic junction over existing bridges, the Genoa-Ventimiglia railway line and the busy Aurelia state road. The traffic routes were of course to be closed for as short a time as possible – so delays of any kind had to be avoided at all costs.

Accordingly, the team planned out every single step in excruciating detail: A tandem lift would be used for the 500-tonne bridge section, while the CC 68.1250-1 would take care of the 290-tonne section all alone. The CC 68.1250-1 was set up with an SSL configuration, a 72-meter boom, and 450 tonnes of Superlift counterweight, while the CC 38.650-1 was also set up with an SSL configuration and a boom of the same length, but 325 tonnes of Superlift counterweight. The two cranes lifted and moved the 500-tonne section together at a radius of 50 meters and a height of seven meters, while the CC 68.1250-1 put the 290-tonne section in place at a radius of 41 meters and a height of nine meters. “We used an eight-person team, consisting of two crane operators and six supervisors and signalpeople, to lift the 500-tonne platform and put it in place with our two cranes. Meanwhile, the team we used to handle the smaller load with the CC 68.1250-1 alone had five people only,” says Marco Galli while explaining how his company’s personnel was deployed for the job.

The Vernazza team was on-site for a total of four months for the project – perfectly on schedule: “The fact that everything went exactly as planned was not just due to our team’s professional planning and expert work, but also to the reliability of our two Tadano cranes, which once again proved to their merits,” Marco Galli happily summarizes.

Express Global Logistics (EXG), member to the Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC) in India, successfully completed the transportation of power plant equipment from China to the southern part of India for the ongoing expansion of a nuclear power plant.

This milestone involved break bulk ocean movement from Lushun Port, China, to Tuticorin Port, India, import customs clearance, port handling, inter-carting, and road transportation from Tuticorin Port to the designated site using heavy-duty multi-axle trailers.

Totalling 3708 freight tonnes in volume and comprising of 36 pieces where handled safely and on-time.

Furthermore the ocean transport from China to India with priority berthing and direct sailing achieved a transit time of 21 days only. The shipment comprised of maximum individual piece dimensions of 9×5.6×5.7 m and a single piece weight of 59 tons.

The transportation from Tuticorin Port to the designated job site covered 250 km and a combination of heavy-duty and low-bed multi-axle trailers where utilized.

A spokesperson for EXG said: “Meticulous planning and execution in handling such volumes and heavy packages, despite geopolitical challenges and vessel space shortages in China, demonstrated our capability to adapt and meet specific client requirements under difficult circumstances. Our dedicated team and partners ensured the success of this project under demanding conditions.”

3p Logistics continue to deliver good news – this time regarding the successful transport of a SO2 Washer Tank from Gydnia, Poland to Hamburg, Germany.

Due to bridges along the route and the dimensions of cargo – featuring a diameter of five meters – it was not possible to secure this transport by truck only.

Additionally, the sensitivity of the cargo meant it was too risky to transship the cargo from vessel to barge to truck.

The destination site was located next to a terminal on the same island, and 3p Logistics came up with a plan to use a flat rack to avoid touching the cargo during transshipment.

To avoid public roads and bridges, 3p Logistics positioned the cargo on the terminal as close as possible to the final delivery site, allowing their consignee to pick it up using a crane.

“This is what we at 3p Logistics refer to as a ‘tailor-made solution’!”

With the construction of a new combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in Altbach/Deizisau in Germany, EnBW is paving the way for the future use of low-CO2 or green hydrogen in the 2030s.

As a first step, the site’s electricity and heat production will be switched from coal to gas starting in 2026. The top priority is the uninterrupted supply to households and industry. To ensure this, it was crucial to find competent and reliable partners.

Mammoet was able to convince with a tailor-made engineering concept and comprehensive studies as well as its proven experience in power plant construction. The team had already demonstrated its expertise in the dismantling of Block 1 of the EnBW Neckarwestheim nuclear power plant.

The service package includes just-in-time delivery, handling and unloading, interim storage and the installation of HRSG modules, generators, turbines and transformers.

Andreas Franzke, Sales Manager & Segment Lead Power at Mammoet in Germany, explains:

“A completely new concept has been developed in close cooperation with the client and our project team. This means a secure energy supply, fewer interfaces and smooth processes on the construction site”.

On Mammoet’s recommendation, a separate temporary jetty was built so that the power plant’s fuel loading point would not be additionally burdened by unloading for the construction site.

A 1,350 tonne crawler crane will allow all heavy lifting for unloading and installation to be carried out safely and efficiently from one crane location. In addition, SPMTs, a customized gantry system and other special equipment will also be used.

“We are very pleased to be involved in this important construction project, which is part of the energy transition in Baden-Württemberg. It is a significant step into the future of using green hydrogen in facilities in Germany and beyond,” says Andreas Franzke.

The Mammoet team will work on behalf of the Sener Bonatti joint venture.

BLC – The Battery Lifecycle Company GmbH (BLC) is opening a new business site in Magdeburg and it provides the first fully automatic battery deep discharge facility in the world.

BLC can process the batteries for safe recycling and optimal use of the raw materials through dismantling and discharging them there – and also offer repairs for the expensive batteries for electric vehicles. One focal point for the company involves implementing a degree of automation that is unique in the sector too. The goal is to reduce the workload on the employees and make the processes more efficient and safer.

Modern battery recycling: BLC opens the world’s first fully automatic deep discharge facility in Magdeburg Modern battery recycling: BLC opens the world’s first fully automatic deep discharge facility in Magdeburg
BLC can process up to 15,000 tonnes of batteries per year at the new site in Magdeburg harbour, marking an important step in the company’s capacity expansion.

BLC is a joint venture involving the affiliated companies, Rhenus Automotive and TSR Automotive GmbH, and it accompanies the life cycle of vehicle batteries with a major emphasis on repair work, reuse and recycling; it also offers automobile manufacturers solutions for reusing batteries from electric vehicles. Previously just operating from its business site in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, BLC is now opening its next facility in Magdeburg. The new centre in the port of Magdeburg will be able to process up to 15,000 tonnes of batteries per annum, about six times more than in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. This means that BLC is opening one of the largest facilities in Europe and it marks an important step in expanding the company’s capacity.

Instead of constructing a new building, BLC has redeveloped an existing property and adapted it to the individual requirements of battery recycling. The batteries undergo fully automatic deep discharge in Magdeburg and the aim in future is to complete this dismantling work with the support of robots. “Electric batteries weigh as much as 700 kilograms and have about 180 screws. Dismantling them is associated with considerable effort. If the employees here have to handle each screw manually, this is detrimental to their health, motivation and process efficiency. We want to prevent that,” says Florian Karlstedt, a member of the management team at BLC. While robots loosen the screws in the batteries, the employees in the factory can concentrate on the tasks in each specialist department – for example, quality controls, cable connections or data analyses. “This high level of automation hasn’t been common in the sector up to now, as the processes are very complex and very sophisticated,” Florian Karlstedt continues. BLC is planning to process batteries in future for recycling that saves resources. Making available tested modules for 2nd life solutions, which are inserted into large stationary storage systems (BESS), is already an integral part of the company’s daily business. “We can then achieve a new degree of expansion that makes the company a leading innovator in the sector and is absolutely essential for this kind of automation,” says Lukas Brandl, who is also a member of the management team at BLC, adding his comments. Thanks to its close connections with Rhenus Automotive and TSR Automotive, BLC can build on the expert knowledge that is available in logistics, handling waste and raw materials as well as battery handling – and is present in the infrastructure that reflects automobile standards here.

BLC is creating between 30 and 40 long-term jobs in the region by opening the new facility and is therefore making an important contribution to strengthening the local economy. The new business site not only has ideal transport connections at the Magdeburg motorway junction, but also has a very central location in Eastern Germany. As a result, it is quick and easy to reach customers located in the vicinity in Wolfsburg, Berlin, Dresden and Leipzig, for example. “We want to be where our customers are in order to create logistical operations that are as efficient as possible.” Lukas Brandl explains.

Central Oceans have established regular shipping services from China to Brazil, together with their partners in Brasil, and they are pleased to announce that they can now provide their clients with one or two scheduled sailings per month.

Central Oceans dedicated team has successfully loaded various cargoes this month, including a challenging shipment for a leader petrochemical company that included pre-carriage by trucks and deck barges.

Modus Logistics Management, representing Greece in the Project Logistics Alliance, was nominated by one of its esteemed clients to manage a complex logistics operation.

The project involved receiving cargo under the hook of the m/v BBC NYHAVN, performing port operations at the Port of Alexandroupolis in Greece, and transporting the cargo to the client’s worksite approximately 20 km away.

The project required handling 79 units of oversized breakbulk cargo and 18x40ft SOC containers, totaling over 7,000 cubic meters and 1,380 tons. The cargo consisted of parts of the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) for a new Combined Cycle Power Plant under development in the area.

The size and weight of the cargo units posed a significant challenge. The most difficult units to handle were six units with dimensions of 3500 x 480 x 210 cm and weights ranging between 67 and 77 tons. These dimensions and weights necessitated meticulous planning, coordination, and careful execution to ensure safe and efficient handling.

In collaboration with their business partners, the Modus Logistics Management team organized and executed multiple operations characterized by: Cutting-Edge Transport Equipment: Leveraging advanced technology to manage and transport oversized and heavy cargo efficiently; Expert Coordination: Detailed planning and coordination to ensure flawless execution at every stage; Robust Safety Protocols: Implementing rigorous safety measures to protect the cargo, personnel, infrastructure, and the local community; Timely Execution: Adhering to a strict timeline to ensure on-time delivery within budget constraints.

The Modus Logistics Management team successfully delivered the cargo to the client’s worksite without any damage, delays, or disturbances to the local community. The project was executed safely and efficiently, demonstrating the company’s commitment to providing: Industry Expertise: With a deep understanding of the Power Generation and Energy industry, Modus Logistics Management is equipped to handle the most challenging logistics projects; Customer-Centric Solutions: The company tailors its services to meet the specific needs of its clients, ensuring success; Reliability and Efficiency: Modus Logistics Management’s track record of delivering projects on time and within budget speaks for itself; Commitment to Safety: Safety is prioritized in every operation, protecting both cargo and the community.

The book retailing group, Thalia, has been relying on the logistics and warehouse services provided by Rhenus Warehousing Solutions for more than 20 years.

The logistics base in Hörselgau in the federal state of Thuringia is now being significantly expanded so that it is able to serve the strong increase in demand from the B2C sector and the seasonal business to an even better degree. At the same time, Rhenus and Thalia are extending their partnership for a further ten years and are also constructing one of the world’s most efficient AutoStores (robotic warehouses).

Rhenus Warehousing Solutions and Thalia expand their partnership and construct one of the most efficient AutoStores in the world Rhenus Warehousing Solutions and Thalia expand their partnership and construct one of the most efficient AutoStores in the world
With 530 robots, 240,000 containers and 90 ports, the planned AutoStore in Hörselgau will be absolutely enormous. Rhenus and Thalia are expecting the facilities to be fully utilised during peak periods. Image source: Rhenus Group.

Customers benefit from the tailor-made warehousing solutions and fulfilment services provided by Rhenus Warehousing Solutions, a provider of logistical and warehouse services, at more than 180 business sites in 23 different countries. This is also true of Thalia, the leading omni-channel bookseller in the Germany, Austria and Switzerland region; it has more than 500 bookshops within its network, an online store and a shopping app. Rhenus has been storing and picking goods for Thalia at its Hörselgau site in Thuringia since 2011. The logistics space and capacity there are now being expanded and a new AutoStore with 530 robots will be integrated in the processes.

The expansion and conversion work in Hörselgau is being conducted to include various different factors. The enlarged logistics and warehouse space will increase the volume of goods that can be shipped from the business site that has a central location. The AutoStore will provide support by automating picking processes. “Our continual expansion in the store-based bookselling sector as well as the increasing volume of orders in our online business have made it easy to decide to use an automated picking method – the AutoStore solution particularly reflects the requirements of our order structure very well,” says Marco Rebohm, Managing Director of Supply Chains and Logistics at Thalia. “We’re also being affected by the shortage of specialist workers and the challenges of attracting new members of staff. By using the new AutoStore, we’re therefore preventing any excess pressure on our current teams during seasonal peaks such as the pre-Christmas period,” Marco Rebohm continues.

Automating work stages in the picking process not only means that workers have less distance to walk thanks to the “goods-to-person” principle, but it also enables more pleasant working conditions at ergonomically designed workplaces. With 530 robots, 240,000 containers and 90 ports, the planned AutoStore in Hörselgau will be absolutely enormous. Rhenus and Thalia are expecting the facilities to be fully utilised during peak periods. Rhenus has been able to make full use of the experience that it has gained from similar projects in Duisburg and Tilburg (Netherlands) when drawing up the dimensions for the AutoStore. “Coupled with our long-standing familiarity with this customer and our understanding of its requirements, we’ve been able to estimate the required expansion work very accurately,” says Dr Stephan Peters, a Member of the Rhenus Group’s Management Board. Thanks to the matrix structure of the AutoStore, it will also be possible to expand the existing facility at any time.

The expansion work at Hörselgau is due to be completed by April 2025. “We’re delighted to be able to once again intensify our stable partnership with Thalia even further through this project,” Dr Peters continues. The regular exchange of ideas between the two companies, which goes far beyond day-to.day business and involves various experts and hierarchical levels, has since become a valuable routine.

William Fehrman, who was elected as member of the Board of Directors of Vestas Wind Systems A/S on the Annual General Meeting 2024, has decided to step down from his board position with effect as of today, 14 August 2024.

William Fehrman has taken this decision to avoid any potential conflict of interest as he has been elected by the Board of Directors of American Electric Power Company, Inc. to lead the company as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) and VALE International SA (VALE; CEO: Eduardo Bartolomeo Headquarters: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) announced that a 200,000-ton class bulk carrier, currently employed under a mid–term contract for transportation of iron ore for VALE, has been successfully retrofitted with two 35m x 5m Norsepower Rotor Sail and marked its first call at Ponta da Madeira, Brazil.

This is the world’s first case of rotor sails on a capesize bulk carrier. The vessel is expected to achieve about 6-10% fuel and GHG emissions reductions on the Brazil to Far East routes, combined with voyage optimization technology.

MOL has established the “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2” and has set the target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. One of the key actions to achieve this target is the “introduction of clean energy, further energy-saving technologies,” which includes installing wind propulsion systems.

MOL Group will contribute not only to the reduction of GHG emissions from its own group, but also to the reduction and decarbonization of society as a whole through the safe management and efficient operation of its environmentally friendly fleet that combines wind propulsion technology.

VALE is committed to supporting the maritime industry in achieving the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) decarbonization targets. Aligned with the ambition of the Paris Agreement, VALE also has a target of a 15% reduction in scope 3 (Note 3) emissions by 2035, related to the value chain, of which shipping emissions are a part, since the ships are not owned by the company.

Focused on adopting and leveraging technologies and fleet modernization to reduce GHG emissions, VALE created the Ecoshipping program, an R&D initiative based on strong partnerships with shipowners. Since 2018, the company has been operating second-generation Valemaxes (capacity of 400,000 tons) and, since 2019, Guaibamaxes (capacity of 325,000 tons) – these vessels are among the most efficient in the world. As part of the Ecoshipping program, VALE developed innovative energy-efficient projects, such as the rotor sails project, and a pioneering project to incorporate multi-fuel tanks on iron ore carriers.

MOL and VALE will continue to work towards both the stable transportation of iron ore and the reduction of GHG emissions with the help of Norsepower, to contribute to the realization of a low-carbon society.