Antonov Airlines has successfully delivered a critical valve for an oil refinery in a high-priority mission to prevent operational downtime. The urgent transport, conducted in cooperation with AirPartner, required specialized equipment to accommodate the cargo’s unique handling needs.
Working against the clock, a team led by Domenico Longano, with project oversight from Christian Randazzo, ensured the seamless execution of the mission. The effort was bolstered by the Gruber Logistics Air division in Milan and the business unit in Naples. The priority was clear—get the exchanger airborne without delay.
The oversized cargo, tipping the scales at over 20 tons and measuring 6.50 x 2.50 x 3.60 meters, made its way to Rome Fiumicino Airport, where it was loaded onto an Antonov An124-100. The operation was conducted in collaboration with Antonov Airlines and Air Partner, requiring a specialized transport plan and custom handling equipment.
Once at the airport, security and sniffer checks were conducted before Gruber Logistics was granted runway access. Loading the heat exchanger was no simple task. A dedicated external ramp from Antonov Airlines and a heavy-duty crane were employed to maneuver the unit onto a steel frame. Securing it required four 17WLL extra shackles, ensuring it remained stable within the aircraft’s cargo hold.
According to Eugene Kiva, Commercial Executive at Antonov Airlines, the project’s complexity lay in the cargo’s delicate nature rather than its size or weight. “Despite the cargo was not something oversized or heavy, as usual for our aircraft, this particular unit required using our special loading equipment (ramp system) and external cranes, due to very sensitive lifting and lashing points,” he explained.
The AN-124-100, known for its capacity to handle heavy and oversized loads, played a crucial role in ensuring the refinery’s operations continued uninterrupted. Antonov Airlines has long been a trusted name in project cargo, frequently handling specialized transport needs across industries worldwide.
For professionals in the project logistics sector, this operation underscores the importance of expertise and the right equipment in executing time-sensitive, high-stakes deliveries.
