UTC Ships 81 Sennebogen Cranes to US (video)

UTC Overseas has overseen the transport of 81 Sennebogen cranes from Germany to the U.S. in a move the Houston-headquartered forwarder said had set a “new standard for complexity and scale”.

The mammoth move from the port city of Bremerhaven to Charleston in the southeastern state of South Carolina was coordinated by UTC’s Heavy Equipment Division. NYK Line’s RoRo vessel Leo Leader was chartered to ship the cranes.

The project called for “meticulous planning and coordination” to ensure the safe delivery of the cargo, which comprised 79 assembled units, two unassembled units and static equipment weighing a combined 10,000 freight tons.

The loading operation, which entailed each unit being carefully placed within inches of each other to optimize the available deck space, was completed in just one day.

“The loading process presented unique challenges, with every piece of machinery requiring specific positioning on the vessel,” said Patrik Meyer, manager of heavy equipment development for UTC.

“UTC has moved volumes of Sennebogen machines over the years and was familiar with each model, aiding in the proper placement of the valuable cargo. Blueprints were sent ahead of time, allowing for exact planning to ensure each unit could maneuver moving on and off the vessel, always considering the safety of the crew and equipment.”

The transatlantic crossing whipped up some formidable challenges, as the project team grappled with violent gales and a last-minute change to the final destination that called for a swift rewrite of the paperwork to pass through customs.

The team had scoped out the port at Charleston before the vessel arrived, resulting in a “targeted, smooth discharge process”. Multiple teams were deployed in shifts to unload the cranes, an operation that began at 7am and concluded at 10pm the same day.

“The successful RoRo charter of the Leo Leader stands as a testament to the expertise and dedication of UTC in tackling challenging logistical operations,” said Hans Meyer, COO of heavy equipment and specialized cargo at UTC. “The six-month planning process, attention to detail, and longstanding partnership with Sennebogen, the shipping lines, and the port all played pivotal roles in the operation’s success.”

Check out UTC’s video of the move:



UTC Overseas, Sennebogen, NYK Bulk & Carriers and the ports of Bremen/Bremerhaven (bremenports) will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Americas 2024 on 15-17 October at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.