Out of Gauge Pipeline Case Study

Brunel Project Cargo was recently tasked with a delicate operation to send an important out of gauge project from the UK to Venezuela by sea freight services.

Brunel liaised with the client to make sure that the pipeline components were safely transported by express road freight to Felixstowe port and that all the correct Felixstowe customs clearance procedures were adhered to. We also liaised closely with the local authorities in Venezuela where we came up against an obstacle. At the last minute local customs officials made a decision to change the routing of the shipment to a different delivery port in Venezuela.

With this last minute change of port, Brunel had to move very quickly to amend all documentation and liaise with local authorities accordingly, so that customs duties and port fees were updated. We communicated with the client to make sure there was no delay and that they had up to the minute updates. The shipment had to be delivered within a 35 day sailing period or it meant massive downtime for the clients operation in Venezuela.

The pipeline components consisted of two special pipeline bends with dimensions of 8.299 metres x 2.473 metres with a weight of over 11,000 Kg. This meant that a standard container was not suitable.

Brunel advised the client that a flat rack open top container would be the best option for this out of gauge project and were on hand at FELIXSTOWE to make sure that the stevedoring and lashing team were given the correct dimensions and weight balances.

With a shipment like this, although it seems straightforward, it was key to get the lashing and loading spot on to make sure the weight balance and centre of gravity did not cause any unbalancing or tilting of the 40ft flat rack container during the sea freight transport. These were highly valuable components and any slight damage would render them unusable.

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