Custom-made equipment to transport catamaran across the globe
When Freightecom, a specialist in the yacht transportation industry was asked to ship a seven-metre-wide catamaran across the globe, something had to be done. The unusually wide cargo required a customised solution and they turned to Höegh Autoliners with their expertise in transporting out-of-gauge cargo.
Recently, Höegh Autoliners was chosen to provide the ocean transportation of a 7.12 metre wide catamaran that needed to be shipped from Antwerp to Brisbane.
The width of the catamaran was a challenge as it could not be placed on a single 40 foot rolltrailer which has a total width of 2.60 metres.
Höegh had been working on a prototype of its double mafi concept that had been developed, tested and approved in the U.S. and there was an opportunity to use the equipment in a commercial operation.
Geir Paulsen, Global Breakbulk Operation Manager says, “We came up with a unique design involving two 40-foot rolltrailers joined together by a coupling kit system. The system comprises of an easy-to-use system, which locks two 40 foot rolltrailers side by side. A twin gooseneck was also developed and produced on a Höegh design, and this ensures the tugmaster has a firm hold of the rolltrailer at all times during transport.”
In this case, the catamaran also required a vessel with a wider door clearance than the regular vessels, which can only accommodate cargo up to seven metres wide.
Franck Desgre, Segment Sales Manager of Höegh Autoliners France says,
Our New Horizon vessels provide incredible flexibility in the different types of cargo we can load and we are now able to transport cargo with a maximum width of 12 metres. Höegh Trotter, in our regular Europe to Oceania service, was chosen and proved the perfect fit to transport the unit.
With the support of stevedores at the port, and Höegh’s cargo handling team on-site in Antwerp, the catamaran was lifted out of the water and placed on the double rolltrailer where it was loaded on board the vessel ready for its ocean transport. Safely stowed under deck it was ready for its six-week journey to Brisbane.
Franck continues,
This operation was the perfect opportunity to show case our latest innovative equipment and prove that we have the capabilities in the breakbulk segment to handle wider cargo than before.
23 June 2017
Why I love being a seafarer
We seafarers take a six to nine month contract on board a ship. Within that period, we see the vast ocean and sky most of the time. Isn’t that boring? Well, if you don’t have some patience, determination and optimism, you can definitely conclude that life at sea is quite boring. But if you want to see the world, it is an opportunity.
Latest news
03 March 2025
From Olympic medals and world championships to intern at Höegh Autoliners – and the journey of a lifetime from Scandinavia to South Africa
In the summer of 2024, after the Paris Olympic Games, the sculling pioneer Kjetil Borch retired after a lifetime on the biggest international stage – with an impressive result list and medal tally to his name. Now an intern at Höegh Autoliners through Neste Steg (Next Step), an organization preparing former elite athletes and military personnel for what’s next after their active careers, he is exploring the wonders of another ocean trait very different from the world he’s learned to master after 21 years of rowing: The shipping sector.
28 February 2025
Guide to shipping heavy equipment
Shipping heavy equipment brings several unique logistical challenges. Items such as agricultural machinery or construction equipment are not only large and heavy but rarely break down into smaller components. This makes the loading, transportation, and unloading a lot more complex, introducing potential safety concerns and costly handling procedures. To add to the complexities, heavy equipment shipping overseas is most commonly required for projects, which are often tied to strict deadlines and timelines. Therefore, it usually needs to reach its final destination on time, while any delays could introduce significant costs too.
06 February 2025
Loading of the first batch of the New Nissan Magnite in Ennore Port
Recently, we loaded the first batch of the New Nissan Magnite in Ennore Port onboard our Höegh Aurora, kicking off a new and prolonged collaboration with Nissan Motor India Private Limited.