Transporting a 340-ton crane between two Portuguese ports

L.Branco was awarded by the Portuguese container operator Liscont the transport of a fully erected Gottwald crane weighing 340 tons between the port of Lisbon and the port of Figueira da Foz. The main challenge was finding a heavy-lift vessel with sufficient gear capacity but small enough to be allowed in the small port of Figueira da Foz. Luis Branco discussed the problem with Thomas Parlow who immediately referred he knew the right candidate, a small 2 x 250-ton crane heavy lift vessel previously owned by Jumbo. Having contacted her operators, she was returning to Europe from Africa and the deal was possible. Being a transport between two Portuguese ports with a non-EC vessel, L.Branco had to obtain the necessary waiver from the Maritime Authorities and same was granted timely. L.Branco had as well to organize all formalities and operational issues in both ports and has acted as vessel’s agent. Local expertise and prompt collaboration between THLG fellow members resulted in a nice, professional job.