Outsize cargo for stricken ship

A large shipping company was spared an operational headache last month when Air Charter Service assisted a freight forwarder in organising the transportation of an urgent spare part weighing 40,000 KG from Norway to Japan.

The vessel belonging to the firm was damaged in heavy seas off the coast of Japan, resulting in the loss of the main thrusters which power the ship and allow for its manoeuvrability.

As the ship limped back to port, the freight forwarder called Air Charter Service to help with the urgent air transportation of replacement thrusters that were located in Norway.

Lloyd Robinson quickly arranged an Antonov-124 aircraft for the charter to Japan. The AN-124 was ideally suited to the outsize dimensions of the giant piece as it allowed for the careful loading to be conducted through the nose of the aircraft with the help of a crane (see picture).

The piece was delivered on an impressive timescale, helping the engineers to get the ship back to sea in a matter of days.