Antonov An124s Deliver Gas Compressors

Four of the world’s largest long-range heavy transport aircraft, the Antonov AN 124, were used recently to move six huge gas compressors from Europe to Southeast Asia.

Movement of the M.A.N. turbo gas compressors, plus tools and accessories, was organised by GAC Singapore in a combined air and sea freight charter operation. The compressors were air freighted from the manufacturers facilities in Germany and Switzerland to Singapore by Antonov An 124 and were then barged over to Batam, Indonesia, for installation on to the topside module of the FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage & Offloading) Vessel Cidade de Sao Mateus.

This was an extremely delicate operation demanding complete co-ordination from all GAC staff in our offices in Singapore and Europe, the supplier’s factory in Europe, and the client’s staff in Batam, said Jorgen Nielsen, GAC Singapore’s business manager for logistics services.

Each gas compressor unit is 10 metres long and each weighing 50,000kg. The only way we could airfreight them into Singapore was to use one of the world’s largest heavy transport aircraft available, the Antonov AN 124, Jorgen added.

The business was contracted through Ruslan International and operated by both Antonov Airlines and Volga Dnepr.