At the beginning of February, an unprecedented oversized project cargo operation took place at the Rhenus Deep Sea Terminal in Rotterdam. Rhenus Port Logistics Netherlands was responsible for managing the handling, storage, and transportation of oversized plant components for its customer Neste. These components will be used in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The unique aspect of this project is the size of the components. One of the largest parts measured almost 50 meters in length, around seven meters in height and width, and weighed a staggering 730 tonnes. To lift it from the MV Anna Sophie, ship cranes were used. This size set a record for the Deep Sea Terminal, which has operated under the Rhenus flag since 2011.

As cargo of this size is not usually handled every day, the Rhenus team had to adapt and remove various cargoes that were stored at the terminal. This step was necessary to create enough space for manoeuvring this large unit from the quayside to the exit of the terminal.

“We first lifted the parts with ship’s gear and placed it onto four self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) in order to be able to take it away from the quayside and store it temporarily at our terminal before it was transported further to the Neste jobsite, about two kilometres down the road,” explains Arnold Oostrijk, Sales Manager Breakbulk & Project Cargo at Rhenus in the Netherlands.

It’s important to note that the shipment received in February was only a part of the project’s completion. Over the next six months, more vessels from Europe and Southeast Asia are expected to arrive at the Rhenus terminal, working alongside various partners including Nippon Express. These deliveries consist of components for Neste’s new plant, which will produce sustainable fuels from renewable materials, primarily for use in aviation.

“This project’s success highlights the Rhenus Group’s dedication to environmentally friendly practices, underscoring the value of collaboration and dedication as we work towards sustainable change in the logistics industry,” says Bart-Luc Olde Hanter, Head of Business Development & IT.