Jumbo-SAL-Alliance members have kicked off another stage of transport for JGC Corporation’s Basrah Refinery upgrading project. After Jumbo Javelin loaded the first of 19 transports at Dahej, India, early this year, the MV Svenja has also commenced its first of seven voyages for the project. 

On May 7, MV Svenja, dedicated to the project for the duration of the transport scope, completed the loading of two bullet tanks for LPG storage, measuring 81.5 x 8.4 x 10 metres and weighing approximately 706.5 mt each, as well as three other structural components.

By planning well in advance and involving all stakeholders in a timely manner, the loading process was very efficient, taking only three hours per bullet tank. After securing the cargo, the vessel left the port of Ulsan on May 9, and is now en route to Umm Qasr in the Persian Gulf for discharge.

Jumbo-SAL-Alliance vessels on the job

Back in March, the Alliance informed that the total of 450,000 frt of cargo will be transported by Jumbo Kinetic, with two 1,500 t cranes, and SAL Heavy Lift’s MV Svenja, with two 1,000 t cranes will be dedicated to the project for the duration of the transportation scope.

During this time, the two vessels will undertake seven voyages each, providing the project with full flexibility and control of logistics. Sailing schedules are firmly fixed so that all parties within the logistical cycle know well in advance when which cargo will be collected and delivered.

The two vessels, with deadweight tonnage of 14,000 t and 12,500 t respectively, are strong enough to handle all modules and small enough to be able to access the restricted Morimatsu plant in Nantong, China, where much of the cargo will be loaded.

In addition to the two vessels committed to the project, the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance will provide vessels to conduct additional five voyages.

Executing the plans

The Jumbo-SAL-Alliance began preparations for the project back in 2019, with the provision of engineering support. This included the design of four different loading spread mats, covering the various vessel types to be used, cargo footprint and location of the cargo on the vessel.

As the project is undertaken in consecutive runs with the same vessels, the load-spreading material can be recycled (re-used) each time, offering optimal cost-efficiency.

Preparations for the project included the creation of a hybrid contract servicing the needs of both parties and tackling the potential challenges of operating in the Basrah region.

The project is one of the largest the Alliance has ever undertaken.