Setting up emergency concepts to supply gas to energy-intensive industries often involves heavy transport. The Projects Division of Haeger & Schmidt Logistics (HSL) is specialised in their logistical planning and implementation.
The volatility of gas availability became apparent in light of the Ukraine conflict. This prompted a glass producer in Thalheim (Saxony) to develop an emergency concept. Because the manufacturer cannot afford a production standstill, two large propane gas tanks, each with a volume of 400,000 liters, are to keep the furnaces running in the event of a short-term gas failure. If the glass manufacturer’s furnaces were to cool down due to a lack of energy, the damage could result in a loss of millions.
First transport section
Ordered from a manufacturer in northern Spain, the two tanks were transported on the first leg to Hamburg by coaster. In the seaport of the northern German Hanseatic city, HSL Division Projects took over the cargo. “The dimensions of the tanks were a logistical challenge, with a length of 30.00 m and a diameter of 4.20 m each,” reports Steffen Gautsch about his first major project, which he carried out for HSL. The 23-year-old joined the HSL team in January after completing his training as a freight forwarding and logistics clerk. Gautzsch was awarded the contract at the beginning of March. After a planning phase of about one month, all the transport and handling equipment for the second and third sections were ready.
Second transport section
The second transport section began in Hamburg at the beginning of April with the transfer of the tanks from the coaster directly onto a push boat. This reached the Elbe port of Aken within four days. Due to the water situation on the Elbe, Gautzsch considers the second transport section to have been the most challenging part. He always had to keep an eye on the water level/depth of the Elbe. Indeed, if these drop sharply in the summer months, as they have in recent years, the inland vessel is not an option. “We had proactively informed the customer about the situation on the Elbe and also developed a plan B, which we fortunately did not have to use,” says Gautzsch happily.
Third transport section
On the third leg of the trip, the tanks had to cover the last 40 km by road to the factory in Thalheim. Even the transfer from the barge to the truck was a feat of strength. The “move” was accomplished with two cranes by tandem lift. On the last mile, signs and traffic lights were dismantled or turned, telephone cables were partially lifted, bridges and subways were bypassed. “We followed how the 30-metre-long cargos were manoeuvred slowly and with extreme caution through small towns in Saxony during night transport. After a total planning time of more than four months, it was a special moment for me to see the the two propane gas tanks be put into operation at the customer’s site,” says Gautzsch.
Photo credits: HSL