In September 2022, ENKEL coordinated the sea transport of two oversized storage tanks and a walkway package from Klaipėda, Lithuania, to Skellefteå, Sweden, for a battery-plant project. The scope combined vessel chartering, port handling, cargo securing and discharge arrangements.
Cargo particulars and task
The larger tank had a transport envelope of approximately 13.53 × 5.15 × 5.04 metres; the smaller measured approximately 9.53 × 4.78 × 4.79 metres. The shipment comprised two tanks and a separately packed walkway, ladders and assembly components, with a documented total weight of about 17.5 tonnes.
The tanks arrived at the loading port by road. ENKEL’s task was to coordinate their transfer to the vessel, sea carriage to northern Sweden, unloading, temporary port storage and subsequent loading for onward collection.
Solution
ENKEL arranged a suitable general-cargo vessel and agreed deck stowage for the shipment. Vessel space, available lashing points, the tanks’ transport supports and terminal availability were considered together before loading.
The port arrangements covered crane handling at both ends and the transfer to storage at destination. Protective wrapping remained on the tanks throughout the sea transport.
Challenges
The critical securing detail was that the transport supports were not rigidly connected to the tanks. Welding stoppers around the supports alone would therefore not restrain the cargo itself. The lashing arrangement had to engage the permitted attachment points on the tanks while protecting vulnerable handrails and ladder cages.
The loading terminal also had a restricted operating window between other vessel commitments. Cargo preparation, lifting, securing materials and documentation had to be coordinated before the ship came alongside.
What was done
ENKEL reviewed the cargo drawings and developed a securing arrangement using existing vessel lashing points, timber dunnage and low-angle web lashings. The completed arrangement combined chains and web lashings, without welded deck stoppers. Photographs were obtained to confirm how the tanks had been secured and to plan removal of the lashings at destination.
Loading in Klaipėda was completed on 19 September 2022, followed by securing and documentation. The vessel sailed that evening. ENKEL also coordinated the discharge, port-storage and onward-collection arrangements in Skellefteå.
Result
The tanks and associated components were shipped to Sweden as breakbulk cargo. Following discharge and temporary storage, the tanks were collected for the next stage of the project. The case demonstrates the value of checking the relationship between cargo, supports and lashing points before choosing a securing method.
Planning a similar shipment? Explore our vessel chartering services and terminal handling services, or contact ENKEL Project Logistics with your cargo dimensions, weight and route.