Says Wouter van Munster, "In consultation and collaboration with our colleagues at Meilink Borculo, particularly Jan Wiegers, we were brought in in good time to assess with them what the feasibility would be to move this huge tank from Mainz to Hamburg in Germany."
Impressive dimensions
Meilink, VPS and its partner Hanseatic Break Bulk Gmbh (HBB) then jointly visited Mainz to look at the site and discuss the possibilities as a team. Ultimately, this resulted in an order for VPS and HBB. Wouter van Munster: "The challenge? Jointly, on behalf of Cargill, taking care of the relocation of a crude oil tank, named VT180 ex Mainz to Rotterdam, at Rhenus on the Maasvlakte." The dimensions of the stainless steel tank are impressive: about 21 meters long, a diameter of 9.5 meters and a total weight of about 35 m tons, including some loose material such as the steps belonging to the oil tank.
Unloaded and in storage
On October 14 in the morning, the tank was loaded in Mainz, Germany aboard the lighter Amoureus. The arrival was two days later in Rotterdam on October 16 at 5 p.m. Wouter van Munster: "Subsequently, the tank was immediately unloaded with one crane based on the belly sling principle using a 40 ft spreader bar and nylon slings. The tank will remain in storage in Rotterdam for the time being. It is expected to remain in storage until the 2nd quarter of 2018. It will then be transported by coaster to its final destination. To be precise: the Ziegelweisenkanal in Hamburg. By river, it is not possible to ship a tank of this size from Rotterdam to Hamburg. Therefore, the final leg will take place offshore by coaster. All in all, a strong example of logistics services and thus a wonderful project!", concludes Wouter.
"A strong example of logistics service"
