In the soft light of sunrise, Bonn Harbor offers a special spectacle today: logistics can be quite romantic, even when two road milling machines weighing several tons and nine so-called recyclers are being loaded.
The experienced movements with which the experts equip the crane with crossbeams, lifting straps, and shackles match the special atmosphere. What looks so effortless here is the result of years of experience and genuine dexterity. And so, a short time later, the first machine weighing several tons is already floating over the quay edge to the inland vessel. There, it is positioned exactly according to the stowage plan, as instructed by the ship's captain.
The shuttle service by inland waterway vessel has long been part of BLG LOGISTICS' service portfolio for motor vehicles. What is new is that this service is now also being offered for project logistics.
Since spring, BLG has been offering heavy transport by waterway in cooperation with the inland waterway logistics specialist Am Zehnhoff-Söns Group from Bonn.
Whether it's closed bridges and roads, highway construction sites, or lengthy approval procedures, the infrastructure on German roads is increasingly reaching its limits. More and more bottlenecks need to be overcome. "The difficult conditions on the roads require smart solutions. Together with Am Zehnhoff-Söns, we are now opening up new avenues for our customers on the waterways with our regular shuttle service for heavy loads," reports Victoria Prokopp, Head of Sales High & Heavy at BLG.
The transport concept by inland waterway vessel is not only suitable for project cargo, but also for self-propelled high & heavy transports and containers. The port of loading is Bonn. The port of unloading for the inland vessel, which currently operates at the beginning of each month, is the BLG terminals in Bremen and Bremerhaven. If required, all heavy cargo terminals along the route on the Rhine, such as Krefeld and Duisburg, or other ports along the Rhine-Herne Canal, the Dortmund-Ems Canal, the Mittelland Canal, and the Middle Weser can be served. Return loads can also be carried. "This is possible at any loading point with the appropriate crane facilities," reports Thomas Keppelstraß, Manager Project Cargo, Sales Conventional at Am Zehnhoff-Söns International Logistic Services in Bonn.
The heavy-lift shuttle, with its 60- to 73-meter-long inland vessels, is suitable for all types of machinery, large-capacity, and heavy-lift projects. "Any plant and machine parts that can be lifted onto the ship are possible," emphasizes Victoria Prokopp, "such as machinery and equipment as well as containers." "The decisive factors are the respective cargo space and a maximum height of four meters due to the bridges on the way to Bremerhaven," explains Keppelstraß. "The weight limit is primarily due to the lifting capacity of the existing port crane. However, with the use of mobile cranes, loads of up to 200 tons can also be handled without any problems."
However, the processes in project logistics are not as standardized as they are for containers. "One to two weeks' lead time is sufficient," says Prokopp. "We need the exact number of machines with dimensions for planning; weight plays a rather subordinate role here," explains Keppelstraß. The task of the specialists at Am Zehnhoff-Söns then includes calculating the type of crane systems and slings required and determining the effective use of the cargo space. And that's exactly what makes it exciting for the experts and keeps them calm: "I was only familiar with the compact milling machine type that we handled here in Bonn for the first time from technical drawings," reports Keppelstraß. "These have only three instead of four attachment points, so we had to quickly modify the lifting gear on the crane."
In addition, there is no strain on the road infrastructure.
The shuttle, which is the same price or cheaper, is aimed at both customers with regular loads and customers in the project business. This means they need fewer time-consuming approval procedures for heavy goods transport and do not have to worry about up to three escort vehicles, thus avoiding contributing to traffic jams on the roads. Although the inland vessel takes an average of six days to complete the route, which is two to three days longer than a truck, the transports are more predictable and the departure times of the ships in the seaports can be better adhered to.
In addition to manufacturers, customers also include freight forwarders and shipping companies. Now BLG has also entered the marketing arena. "The initial reactions have been very positive," says Victoria Prokopp happily. The biggest challenge at the moment is to fill the shuttle regularly with cargo from several customers. Prokopp already knows what the plan is if demand increases: "Then we'll double the frequency to twice a month." So this beautiful spectacle will soon be seen even more often.