Lüderitz again proves its worth
The number of heavylift and project cargo transport tasks destined for the Namibian ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, from where they are on-forwarded to surrounding mines, has risen steadily recently. Many tasks are carried out by the Manica Group.
One of the recent activities of note was the heaviest shipment of plant equipment ever offloaded at the port of Lüderitz in southern Namibia. The order to carry out this job was given to the Manica Group, the exclusive member for Namibia of the network Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC). Manica’s subsidiary, Lüderitz Bay Shipping and Forwarding (LBSF), handled the clearing and forwarding of this hefty load weighing 335 t – the heaviest consignment ever handled in this port.
The initial cargo comprised two heat exchangers, whilst a second shipment was made up of a 143 t steam turbine and a 108 t generator. This last shipment also included a steam accumulator, which had to be lifted with two 1,000 t cranes. These parts are due to be used in the construction of the Khi and Kaxu solar plants being erected at Pofadder and near Upington in the Northern Cape province (Republic of South Africa).
According to LBSF general manager John Gillham, Lüderitz was his preferred port to offload the parts, despite some doubts voiced by the clients. «The key factor was the lack of congestion on the route. We were able to offload the rather large shipment in two hours, having stabilised the vessel with a port tug. The client was impressed and advised us that future shipments of this nature would also be headed for Lüderitz.»
Manica’s Walvis Bay-based clearing subsidiary, Woker Freight Services (WFS), also dealt with some heavy equipment recently. One of the largest hydraulic CAT shovels, a 6060FS with a total weight of 636 t, was offloaded in more than 50 parts. WFS also handled a CAT 7495 shovel, with the heaviest part weighing 63 t.