At the brink of the 90s’ Louis Dreyfus Armateurs realised that the economic development of certain countries in South East Asia and South America would largely depend on port infrastructures. However, those costly investments would only be possible under a strong economic growth.
To break up this vicious circle, LDA has decided to develop an innovative solution to allow massive exports of dry bulk commodities (mostly coal and ores) from these areas, without investing the huge amounts that would be required by developing modern ports.
This solution is based on «mine-to-ship» logistics based on river / sea-going barges, tugs and floating cranes. Barges (upto 15,000 tonnes capacity), pulled by tugs, transport the goods from the mines (or shores) to the open sea where floating cranes ensure their transhipment into large ocean-going vessels (mostly Panamax and Capesize vessels).
AVOIDING THE HIGH FIXED COSTS
OF PERMANENT INSTALLATIONS ...
As far as cargo loading is concerned, floating cranes are an intermediate solution
enabling exporters to continue developing their activity without having to make
costly infrastructure investments. Floating cranes will also provide the most
up-front and flexible, effective and economic solution for unloading where heavy
investments would not be reasonable.
... WHILE PROVIDING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER
OF ADVANTAGES
LDA now operates 7 of such floating cranes at sites in Colombia and Indonesia.
They are as effective as standard cranes, being capable of handling up to 22,000
tons a day (with a lifting capacity of 36 tons). 2 or 3 floating cranes working
together can thus ensure quick loading and unloading of Capesize or Panamax
vessels. And, of course, they have the advantage of being mobile while remaining
environmentally friendly. Louis Dreyfus Armateurs studies all matters of requests
concerning transhipments in the open sea worldwide.
ORCHARD MARITIME SERVICES PTE LTD
45A Club street
SINGAPORE 069422
T. +65 6576 9877
Menara Prima Fl 22 G
Jl. Lingkar Mega Kuningan
JAKARTA 12950
T. +62 21 5794 8207
