Origin
Shanghai, China
Destination
Shepparton, Victoria and Mowbray, Tasmaina, Australia
Project cargo
2 x Asphalt plants shipped ex-factory from China to Australia with approx. 3500 cbm of break bulk cargo plus 38 containers.
Situation
TGI Cargo has assisted Downer with shipping 11 of its asphalt plants purchased from the Ammann Group’s factory based in Shanghai, China. It was for this reason that TGI Cargo was again selected as their logistics partner for transporting their oversized and out-of-gauge cargo internationally door-to-door.
This latest project involved transporting two asphalt plants with all their parts from Shanghai to Mowbray in Tasmania and Shepperton in Victoria. The first challenge was the port congestion in Shanghai. TGI Cargo provided an alternative suggestion which was getting the vessel owners to call at Taicang port instead which saved significant time. TGI Cargo had part chartered the vessel which allowed for greater control of the ship’s route.
TGI Cargo was then responsible for the purchase and lease of the containers required, packing and tarping and transporting the cargo from the factory to Taicang port. At the port, TGI Cargo secured export clearance and provided supervision of loading to the vessel. TGI Cargo was also entrusted with arranging the marine insurance of the cargo on behalf of our customer.
Upon arrival in Australia, TGI Cargo completed customs and quarantine clearances, including quarantine inspections. Our team was on-site in both Tasmania and Shepparton to supervise the discharge and the delivery to site.
The asphalt plants and containers were loaded onto trucks and taken to site. They were then offloaded and placed into position.
Challenges
While TGI Cargo will actively work to mitigate risks, there are often situations out of anyone’s control. Sourcing containers was the initial challenge given the type and quantity. In addition, a typhoon off the coast of China resulted in the vessel having to vacate the berth and move out to anchorage at sea for safety reasons. The TGI Cargo team worked to ensure everyone’s safety while also keeping the shipment on time once the typhoon had passed.
There was also flooding in Victoria on the arrival of the vessel, particularly in Shepparton. All challenges were managed and dealt with resulting in no delay in delivery.