Images: Coli
Asia Break Bulk (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (ABB) and CPC Asia, both operating under the umbrella of COLI Schiffahrt & Transport GmbH & Co. KG, have successfully completed the transport of 17 kilometers of submarine cables from Japan to Northern Ireland. This intricate project, marked by precision and efficiency, underscores the critical role of logistical planning in meeting time-sensitive delivery schedules.
The shipment originated in Japan, where the cables, manufactured by Hitachi, were loaded onto ABB Vanessa, a multi-purpose vessel owned by the company. The cargo included two cable carousels, each measuring an impressive 17.5 meters in diameter and 4.5 meters in height, with a combined weight of 1,327 metric tons. The loading process demanded meticulous handling to ensure the integrity of the high-value cargo.
Following the successful loading, CPC Asia handled the initial coordination, paving the way for ABB Singapore to oversee the vessel’s transit. The route was strategically planned to pass through the Panama Canal, rather than the longer Cape of Good Hope passage. The Panama Canal offers a significantly shorter transit time, making it an ideal choice for time-sensitive shipments. This decision, though requiring precise scheduling to secure a transit slot, shaved valuable time off the journey—a crucial factor for this time-sensitive project.
The Panama Canal transit is often likened to threading a needle, with its stringent timing and narrow navigation corridors. Yet, the ABB team, with their seasoned expertise, managed the task seamlessly. Once through the Atlantic, the cargo reached Northern Ireland, where the carousels were safely discharged and handed over to the client in Belfast.
Source: Coli
