12/18/2017

Cargolux carries hi-tech buoys for offshore wind farms to China

Cargolux, in cooperation with Globaltrans Internationale Logistik GmbH, Germany, has flown two shipments of outsized and highly sensitive German-made measuring buoys from Luxembourg to Xiamen in China. They are destined for the planned offshore wind farms Zhangpu and Changle off the coast of China's Fujian province.

The two high-tech buoys with length of 8.10 meters, a diameter of 2.55 meters and a weight of around 5.800 kg each, were transported by Globaltrans with special trailers from Bremerhaven in Germany to Luxembourg Airport and flown on board of two Cargolux 747 freighters to Xiamen, China.

The loading at Luxembourg and unloading at Xiamen Airport was completed by Cargolux on time and according to the detailed planning of Globaltrans and their local partner in Xiamen. After special customs clearance both buoys were on-forwarded by specialized trucks to their final destination Fuzhou.

“At Cargolux, we are proud to be involved in the shipment of this highly sensitive cargo and working together with a specialized freight forwarding company as Globaltrans Germany and their important client who appreciate the advantages of our CV Jumbo product and 747 freighters,” notes Chris Nielen, Cargolux Vice President Sales.

“To ensure safest transportation, the weight and complex dimensions of the buoys, with its very sensible electronic equipment, required the design and manufacture of special transport frames. In addition we were challenged by a very time sensitive shipment, not allowing us any complications or delays. Therefore, we have decided to use Cargolux’s 747 Freighters to Xiamen, offering us shoring expertise, long-standing experience and tailor-made solutions for heavy or outsized shipments. It was a pleasure for us to cooperate hand in hand with Cargolux on this special cargo shipment,” notes Kay Uwe Gretsch, CEO Globaltrans Germany.

It is the first time ever that China is using a so-called “Floating LiDAR system” for an offshore wind-measuring campaign. The buoys were designed by the German Fraunhofer Institut and will measure the wind speed in the designated locations up to a height of 200 meters from their position on the sea surface to allow precise calculation of the wind farms’ electricity yield. The new Chinese wind parks have a planned capacity of 2.8 GW.