December 29 - Famous Pacific Shipping recently shipped six scrubber units via a ro-ro vessel from the USA to Australia, working with its US agent, Oakland-based Sea Shipping Lines (SSL) Lines

The units, moved for a major client that specialises in providing crushing equipment for the mining industry, were around 4.8 m in diameter and the heaviest piece weighed approximately 70 tonnes.

FPS says that moving units of this size and weight is not an easy task and a number of difficulties had to be resolved in moving the items to the dock. The specialised trailers that carried the scrubber units required traffic escorts and power lines had to be lifted on route.

Sandra Radonich, general manager of FPS WA with Mike Ford, supervisor, special projects at SSL coordinated the project to ensure that the operation proceeded on schedule.

George Ravlich, managing director of FPS WA, says: "We have a proven track record in the handling of project cargoes and the fact that these shipments arrived intact and were delivered safely to site in early December is another example of FPS WA's ability to coordinate and handle this type of business.

"Furthermore, fellow members of the Famous Pacific Shipping Group are developing a significant track record in project cargo forwarding as a means of diversifying from the group's NVOCC business model.

"As a group, we are looking to build on the business skills gained from providing our first-class NVOCC services and migrating any relevant skills to this niche area of the business. In turn, we understand the different dynamics and can bring to the marketplace a project cargo forwarding package that our customers value."