AAL and GEODIS join forces to deliver key stage in Nyrstar’s Port Pirie redevelopment project

the AAL Dampier delivered a giant Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) module to one of the world’s largest primary lead smelting facilities, Port Pirie – located in Southern Australia and operated by Nyrstar, an integrated mining and metals processing business. The 41m long and 21m high module weighed 530mt and is the largest component to be shipped for Pirie’s ongoing Redevelopment Project which will convert the aged smelter into a modern multi metals processing and recovery facility.  AAL’s safe ocean transport of this module was part of a wider end-to-end logistics operation managed by the Industrial Projects division of international supply chain operator, GEODIS.

The massive ESP unit was shipped from the Yanda Module Yard in Jiangsu China and was lifted and loaded in the Port of Nantong using the 700mt combined lifting capacity of AAL’s highly manoeuvrable 19,000dwt S-Class vessel and the combined efforts of its in-house engineering and operations teams.

The ESP unit is part of an innovative Off Gas System that will draw Sulphur Dioxide rich gas and fumes generated from the Top Submerged Furnace (TSL) and ‘electrostatically’ charge them, removing solid particles and enabling ‘clean gas’ to continue into the Acid Plant process.

The system will have a significant positive impact on the environmental performance of Pirie’s operations which will lead to improved community health.

AAL is one of the world’s leading breakbulk, project cargo and heavy lift shipping operators, providing a unique dual tramp and liner service for its customers throughout Asia, Oceania, Middle East, Europe and the Americas.  Established in 1995, the company operates the multipurpose sector’s youngest fleet – multiple classes of modern multipurpose heavy lift vessels (ranging from 12,000, to 31,000 dwt) and each specifically designed to accommodate heavy lift and project cargo alongside breakbulk, containers and bulk.