Rickmers-Linie carries largest Siemens gas turbine to Turkey
A 485-tonne gas turbine, and a 465-tonne generator were loaded to the “Rickmers Hamburg” in Bremerhaven
The transport of the largest and most efficient gas turbine ever manufactured by Siemens marked the first call of a 30,000dwt multipurpose heavy lift vessel of the Rickmers-Linie in Bremerhaven, the place where the Rickmers Group was founded in 1834.
The Siemens gas turbine, which can generate up to 600 MW and has a weight of 485 tonnes, was safely loaded from a barge onto “Rickmers Hamburg” and was followed by a 465-tonne generator and accessories. The parts belong to a gas power plant project, in Hamitabat close to Lüleburgaz in the northwest of Turkey, which is scheduled to be completed by summer 2017.
The load is the first of four shipments and will be discharged in the port of Tekirdag, southwest of Istanbul. Rickmers-Linie’s vessels will make three more calls at Bremerhaven to load cargo for this project.
Navitrans, agents for Rickmers-Linie in Turkey, secured the project for Rickmers-Linie in negotiations with Bertling Logistics in Istanbul, the nominated freight forwarder, which is coordinating logistics for this project. The office of Bertling Logistics in Bremen supported their Turkish colleagues with the pre-carriage arrangements in Germany as well as in local coordination and documentation.
Dirk Gindl, General Manager Sales Germany at Rickmers-Linie commented on the loading operation: “Due to the weight of the cargo and the – for us – historic background of the location, this was not just like any other port call. Of course, no loading operation is ever exactly like another and it is never a routine. As always, thorough preparation, taking into consideration the value, size and weight of the cargo, was the key to ensure a smooth and safe operation.”
Rickmers-Linie, based in Hamburg, is a specialized liner operator for the maritime carriage of break bulk, heavy lift and project cargoes. Through its regular and reliable global schedule the company has set a new benchmark in this shipping segment, by their own account.