Intermarine loads LNG units to West Africa

Intermarine loads LNG units to West Africa    Project cargo specialist carrier Intermarine said Wednesday it recently loaded two massive cold boxes for an LNG plant under construction in West Africa.
   Built at a fabrication plant in New Iberia, La., the 700-ton boxes were transported to Houston by barge where they were transloaded to the Industrial Achiever for the ocean journey to West Africa.
   'Although appearing rather simple, this operation required hundreds of hours of detailed engineering work to determine all the potential forces involved, the strength and placement of the stands and securing materials, and the overall stability of the vessel,' Intermarine said in a statement.
   'The pace of the loading operation is extremely slow as not only are the pressure pads on the (multi-axle heavy lift trailers) constantly adjusting to maintain equalized pressure, but the vessel is constantly transferring water between its ballast tanks,' said Capt. Bert van der Laan, Intermarine's port captain. 'This ballast transfer counteracts the ever-increasing weight that is rolling across the stern to keep pitch of the vessel constant. Once in position, the boxes were lowered onto specially fabricated stands that hold the box such that the trailers may be removed. These stands are specifically positioned to transfer the weight of the boxes into the structural ribs of the vessel. The box is then heavily secured in place to eliminate any shifting while at sea.'
   Intermarine offers regular services in the Americas, intra-Asia and Europe as well as constructs customized project voyages worldwide.