DIGGING DEEP

The high tech robotic vehicle is used for critical explorations of deep sea oilfields. The size and complexity of the machine meant that it was necessary to ship the unit in pieces. Components listed by the shipper included a composite ‘A’ frame, a deck cart, and the workshop and control vans. Also included was a 45 tonne umbilical winch, which required a special lifting team and equipment. The loading crew were to meet the cargo at port and a suitable crane was commissioned to lift the piece straight onto the vessel. With all equipment, cargo and crew waiting at port, the tricky part was getting this accepted by the shipping line as break bulk on a standard container vessel. As we keep saying time and again here in these reports, the projects team at Tuscor Lloyds are a persistent bunch. The cargo was refused but after a few rushed phone calls and some careful persuasion they managed to get acceptance for this over-sized, over-weight piece.

As an experienced and well-known project forwarder, Tuscor Lloyds normally gets the call when the shipment is difficult or needs to be completed on a short timescale or low budget. This project cargo was a challenge in all these ways. The contractor client was relieved when the shipment departed from port in time as per agreements made with their customer. In addition, all the components travelling on the same vessel would mean quick and easy assembly of the ROV at the final destination. ROV systems are engineered to precise specifications and this cargo was no exception. The shipment had to be handled very carefully as there are sensitive mechanics and electronics built into the machine.

In the past these useful remote controlled units have been made famous by high profile salvage operations, such as the Titanic. More recently observation and maintenance crews working an ROV in the Gulf of Mexico filmed a collapsed exploratory rig leaking oil into the sea over a mile below the surface. The dramatic pictures could not have taken without ROV technology and created massive publicity when they were beamed around the world.

ROVs have an extremely important role in the development of new oilfields. Increasingly these are located out in the further reaches of underwater continental shelves. For many industries (including the oil and gas industry) demand for resources around the world requires drilling, mining and other large scale processes to be carried out in some of the most challenging environments on the planet. The ROV has become essential for the successful drilling of deep sea oilfields and it is the main tool used to carry out work in these hard to reach places.

This particular ROV system was being used for subsea surveying and exploration of the newly discovered deep sea oil fields in the South China Sea. Tuscor Lloyds was commissioned to ship the consignment up to port at Singapore. Components were picked up from various parts of the UK, some from Newcastle and some from Aberdeen.

TUSCOR LLOYDS RISES TO THE TOP

The manufacturer had given this job to their regular freight forwarder but because of the urgency and complexity of the shipment, Tuscor Lloyds was called in to undertake smooth transit of the goods to their customer in Brazil. The specialist logistics provider is well known in the industry for complicated movements and this job proved to be no exception.

In the deep sea oil industry, marine risers are special pipes used to connect the well head to the surface rig. They are not small, or cheap, and must be transported carefully. The first challenge for the projects team presented itself when the first unit, a 16 tonne beast, was delivered to port at Felixstowe without any fixtures for securing it on board the vessel.

It was an unexpected turn and although the timescale was tight, the first thing to be done was to build cradles to hold the units in place. Tuscor Lloyds called in their local packing team who manufactured the wooden saddles at short notice. They sent fixtures to Scotland to assist with the road haulage of the smaller, 8 tonne riser and created more for the larger riser that had already turned up.

With both risers arrived safely quay side, a strange feeling descended on the team. This had been too easy, everything was ready and bar the problem with the saddles, nothing major had gone wrong…yet. Sure enough when the vessel arrived there was no room on board and heavy persuasion was needed. Next it was refused on the grounds that it would take too long to load and the schedule was too tight, again they had to be persuaded. This went on for some time and finally after the fourth time of asking the ship owner finally agreed to load the cargo.

The team at Tuscor Lloyds worked long hours and called in a few favours to get this shipment done. The main reason for success in this case however was pure determination and a refusal to give up, without this the cargo would have been held up. The customer was very nervous about the time element and was prepared to airfreight. In the end shipment by sea saved a considerable sum of money for them and they were no doubt relieved and delighted when the cargo successfully shipped.

DIARY – CARGO DISCHARGE AT KAOSHUING

A little known but skilled aspect of the work we do for our customers is the discharging of cargo at destination. Of course this is not just a couple of 20ft containers – that would be too easy. This is a 68 Tonne single piece loaded onto 3 flat rack containers. Enter our very own Steven Burgess who, despite the time difference, monitored the discharging closely from here in the UK. He made sure the cargo was unloaded safely and securely, and the right lifting equipment was utilised.

Logistics operators within shipping companies tend to forget about cargo once the file is off the desk. For some reason many people in our industry treat the sailing of the vessel almost as a journey into a black hole. The pre-alert gets sent and then it disappears forever, never to be seen again. More seasoned operators know all too well that should problems occur when the cargo arrives at destination there can be many difficulties, especially when unloading in certain ports and regions.

The people who work on projects here at Tuscor Lloyds don’t forget, in fact won’t forget until the goods arrive to the door safely. Steve is one of the tenacious ones on this desk. He’s always very interested to know where the cargo goes at the other end, how it gets there and whether it arrives in one piece. The customers trust him to make sure the job is done to the usual high standard at all port calls along the way. He’s been looking a bit peaky these days after spending nights at the grindstone in close contact with the Taiwanese during their office hours. Roll on the weekend Steve and get some rest, you’ve earned the break!

See how this project began!