Hansa Heavy Lift vessels in successful Arctic transit

After HHL Hong Kong loaded four 56m, 400 tonne cranes at Ust Luga in Russia on 16 October, followed 10 days later by HHL Lagos, carrying six 700t tug boats at St. Petersburg, the two P-type, E3 ice-class vessels safely delivered their cargo to the Far East.

The voyages of the vessels, escorted by Russian Icebreakers Vaygach and Taimyr, represent the first by P-Type vessels via the NSR.

“Despite difficult weather conditions for part of the journey, the NSR saved us almost two weeks’ steaming time, which meant we could support our customers with their delivery schedules,” Joerg Roehl, Hansa Heavy Lift chief commercial officer.

“From the very beginning of this complicated project we were aware that the HHL Hong Kong would only have two options to deliver this cargo to its final destination. The Suez Canal was not a solution because of air draft limitations. Sending the vessel around the Cape of Good Hope was possible, but not commercially viable. After careful planning and obtaining all the necessary permits from the Russian Federation, we decided to send the vessel via the NSR, which guaranteed the timely delivery of the cargo.”