[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Every year, the vessels in Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet – which currently includes 166 ships – transport several million containers over the world’s oceans. But not all cargo fits into the standardized steel boxes. In response to this fact, for more than 50 years already, Hapag-Lloyd has been offering its customers tailor-made solutions for especially large or heavy cargoIn addition to its specialized technical equipment, such as its tried-and-tested flatracks, Hapag-Lloyd 
has the experience and expertise to dependably and safely load this special cargo and convey it to its port of destination. For example, in late March, Hapag-Lloyd had to very precisely plan the transport of a “73 Wallypower” power boat – measuring over 22 meters long and 6.5 meters wide, and capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 knots – from the Italian port city of Livorno on board the “Düsseldorf Express.” Upon the request of the customer, the valuable yacht was stowed below deck for its journey to Los Angeles. Doing so first made it necessary to hoist the boat out of the water on a loading frame and place it on land. Then, after being securing lashed, it was carefully moved by crane into a cargo space in the middle of the containership, where it was stowed transversely on several 40’ flatracks. Less bulky, but much heavier, was the 211-metric-ton power generator that Hapag-Lloyd transported for a customer between the end of March and the beginning of April from Charleston, in the US state of South Carolina, to the South Korean port city of Busan. The weighty machine was initially conveyed by a floating crane over three miles and two rivers to the liner “MOL Motivator,” and then it had to be hoisted out of the water and directly on board. “Thanks to these major efforts and with the help of numerous colleagues from a wide range of departments and Areas, smaller challenges were successfully tackled, and it was ultimately a smooth and seamless process,” said Chester McDonough, Sales Manager for Special Cargo for Hapag-Lloyd’s Area Gulf Pacific, in recapping the challenging operation. The special priority that Hapag-Lloyd gives to special cargo is also underscored by the company’s presence at Breakbulk Europe. This trade fair, the world’s largest for project and breakbulk cargo, was held this year year from April 24 to 26 in the Belgian city of Antwerp. Hapag-Lloyd and its experts were on-site for the trade fair to showcase the company’s solutions for cargo up to 30 meters long and weighing more than 350 metric tons.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
