deugro UK, in collaboration with deugro China, deugro Chartering, and local support from deugro Antwerp, has delivered ten storage bullets and additional equipment for the construction of Europe’s most sustainable ethane cracker. The cargo journeyed from Zhangjiagang, China, to the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, showcasing deugro’s expertise in handling oversized and heavy lift (OSHL) logistics under challenging conditions.
The shipment comprised units weighing up to 738 metric tons each, with dimensions as large as 47.8 x 9.2 x 11.5 meters, and a total weight exceeding 6,890 metric tons. The DP2 heavy lift crane vessel Jumbo Fairplayer and the K3000-class heavy lift vessel Jumbo Fairmaster—one of only two K-class vessels worldwide—were deployed for the transport. Together, they boasted a combined Safe Working Load (SWL) of 3,000 metric tons, ensuring the safe handling of the sensitive cargo.
“Securing suitable heavy lift vessels with the required lifting capacities on a tight schedule was a challenge,” said Kai von Taube, Head of Global Chartering at deugro. “Thanks to our experience and strategic carrier relationships, we secured the necessary space within two weeks, meeting the project’s tight six-week timeline.”
The Jumbo Fairplayer was the first vessel to depart, carrying five storage bullets with a total volume of 25,286.20 CBM and weight of 2,857.80 metric tons. Three weeks later, the Jumbo Fairmaster followed, transporting another five bullets totaling 25,286.20 CBM and 3,690 metric tons. A potential delay threatened the Jumbo Fairmaster at Gangxin Port due to heavy congestion. However, deugro mitigated the risk by arranging additional lashing and welding crews, enabling earlier berthing. This proactive solution avoided costly detention fees and kept the project on schedule.
Loading the vessels required intricate planning and execution. Four of the five storage bullets were stowed on the weather deck, with the fifth in the lower hold. To safely accommodate the cargo, the carrier used tween deck hatch covers as load spreaders, while engineers ensured centimeter-level precision for positioning the components in the lower hold.
The operations were supported by dteq Transport Engineering Solutions, which oversaw the project’s method statements and on-site adjustments. “Even with meticulous planning, changes during operations are inevitable. Our role was to ensure safety and adaptability,” said Arlan Baylon, Regional Director of dteq APAC.
Over 53 days and 12,958 nautical miles, the vessels safely transported the cargo to Antwerp, where deugro’s team supervised the discharge operations. David Richardson, Operations Manager at deugro UK, commended the collaboration: “This project’s success is a testament to the trust placed in us by our client and the seamless teamwork with all partners involved.”
