The Bremen-based maritime transportation company, Combi Lift, has handled the shipment of a 360 tonne reactor system and accessories via barge on the Rhine, to Rotterdam.

The heavy reactor was safely discharged in Rotterdam by use of the Matador floating crane to its designated storage area at quay. The Matador crane, built in 2002, measures 70 metres in length and 32 metres in width. Sailing under the flag of the Netherlands, the vessel has a gross tonnage of 3,898 tonnes.

A combination of factors have been affecting transit on the European river system, including this summer’s historically low water levels, especially on the Rhine, increases in fuel costs, and port congestion both for inland ports and seaports. This has led to competition for securing space on river barges from the energy and agriculture industry. Despite this, the reactor transport happened within the agreed upon timeframe.