Negotiations were in full swing during early March 2020 between SAL Heavylift and Total Movements Pvt Ltd through SAL’s agents in India – Sai Maritime & Management P.Ltd- for the shipment of about 5100 freight tons from Dahej , Gujarat to Mina Zayed for Adnoc and Antwerp for Exxon Mobil when Lockdown was suddenly announced in India due to Covid-19. All manufacturing facilities were shut down to curb the spread of Corona virus which indefinitely delayed the shipment of 1 Convertor of 25.3 x 5.17 x 5.05m/415 mtons from Dahej to Mina Zayed and 6 Gofiner reactors of 167 mtons each alongwith accessories to Antwerp which was required urgently at the Refinery site.

However, it was only in end April, when manufacturing was resumed at the shippers factory at 30% capacity . The negotiations were enthusiastically resumed and a Charter Party contract was signed for shipment in June.

Total Movements who was responsible for turnkey movement from EX-Works to Mina Zayed & Antwerp faced considerable challenges for the movement from Manufacturing works to port due to stringent lockdown conditions when even simple things like travelling into Gujarat and getting a hotel to stay was difficult. However, Total Movements and its team overcame this challenge to move all the cargo into the port well before the arrival of the vessel. All the transportation planning and engineering was carried out by Total Movements.

The nominated performing vessel mv FRAUKE (SAL Type 176 – geared 2x700 mts swl) faced rough weather enroute to Dahej due to Cyclone Nisarga and was greeted with heavy rains due to south west monsoons.

Loading was quite a challenge due to swell and tidal range of approx. 8-9 metres during low tide at Dahej port.

The Master and crew worked hard inorder to complete loading in the fastest possible time. The cargo was delivered timely alongside the vessels hook by Total Movements , which facilitated a fast turnaround.

The voyage was successfully completed in the committed transit time of 35 days despite 6 port calls enroute, delay in the Suez canal crossing and COVID-19 related restrictions at every port.

A successful voyage despite challenging circumstances was possible only due to excellent teamwork and open communication between all parties involved.

Daily vessel status updates and excellent co-ordination on the shoreside at ports of discharge ensured that there were no delays or detention to vessel and trailers.