How Did Antwerp Shipping and Forwarding Reduce Project Costs by 25%?
Antwerp Shipping and Forwarding Company NV, a member of the Mega Move Alliance (MMA), successfully transported 2,475 pipes for a power plant project in Iceland, achieving significant cost savings by strategically using Antwerp as a transshipment hub. The company’s logistics planning resulted in a 25% reduction in total transportation costs.
What Was the Scope of the Operation?
The shipment included pipes of various diameters, each measuring 12 meters in length. The total cargo weight reached 2,474 tons, with a combined volume of 3,169 cubic meters. The journey began at the Port of Caofeidian, China, where the pipes were loaded as breakbulk cargo onto the COSCOL liner vessel MV Chang Shun 2. Instead of shipping directly to Iceland, Antwerp Shipping and Forwarding utilized Antwerp as an intermediate hub.
Why Choose Antwerp as a Transshipment Point?
“They chose Antwerp as a transshipment hub due to significant cost savings.”
“Chartering a vessel directly from Caofeidian, China, to Iceland would have been prohibitively expensive. By using a liner service to Antwerp and then chartering a vessel to Iceland, they managed to lower overall transport costs by 25%.”
What Was Their Role at the Port of Antwerp?
Once the cargo arrived in Antwerp, it was temporarily stored at the Zuidnatie terminal, quay 118, where the pipes were sorted according to diameter. The company then chartered the MV NM Copenhagen for the final leg to Thorlakshofn, Iceland.
Their responsibilities included:
- Receiving cargo at the terminal
- Overseeing the sorting process
- Conducting discharge and loading surveys
- Managing bonded customs clearance
- Ensuring all pipes were safely lashed and secured for sea transport
What Were the Key Cargo and Shipment Details?
| Attribute | Details |
| Project Type | Power Plant Pipe Shipment |
| Origin | Caofeidian, China |
| Transshipment Hub | Antwerp, Belgium |
| Final Destination | Thorlakshofn, Iceland |
| Cargo Volume | 3,169 m³ |
| Cargo Weight | 2,474 tons |
| Pipe Length | 12 meters each |
| Total Pipes | 2,475 units |
| Vessels Involved | MV Chang Shun 2, MV NM Copenhagen |
Summary
Antwerp Shipping and Forwarding, a proud member of the Mega Move Alliance (MMA), showcased exceptional project logistics capabilities by managing the shipment of oversized cargo from China to Iceland. Their smart use of Antwerp as a transshipment hub led to a noteworthy 25% cost reduction, demonstrating the importance of strategic planning in large-scale project cargo operations.
