Double 620-Tonne Minehunter Consignment

Complex Transport of Two 620-Tonne Minehunters

Commercial Marine Transport (CMT) completed a milestone operation, transporting two 620-tonne Minehunters from Belgium to Pakistan. This consignment set a new record for CMT, marking the heaviest and longest double ship movement to date. The project required intricate planning, advanced logistics, and specialised heavy lift equipment to handle the immense size and weight of both vessels.

Initially scheduled for 2020, the shipment was delayed due to the global pandemic, eventually being executed in September 2022. The primary challenge was finding a ship capable of lifting and transporting both Minehunters simultaneously. CMT partnered with United Heavy Lift’s MV UHL Fame, equipped with dual cranes and the capacity to meet the project’s unique demands.

Robert Blades, Peters & May’s Global Commercial Sales Manager, commented on the complexity of the task: “Transporting one vessel of this size is within our norm, but loading two onto one ship presented a rare and complex challenge.” The project required over 1.35 kilometres of lashing cables and sixteen slings to safely lift both vessels. The ship’s deck was reinforced with heavy lift platforms, while CMT’s sub-spreaders helped evenly distribute the weight to avoid deck damage.

Under the guidance of two senior loadmasters and two trainee loadmasters, the loading process took approximately two days per ship, ensuring both Minehunters were securely cradled and ready for transit. This exceptional operation underscores CMT’s ability to manage large-scale and complex logistical challenges, reinforcing its position as a global leader in maritime logistics for oversized cargo.