Custom-made equipment to transport catamaran across the globe

DATE 23.06.2017

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 here 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.

Read next

Latest news

25 April 2023

Höegh Autoliners appoints Gyrid Skalleberg Ingerø as new Board Member

Read more

28 March 2023

Höegh Autoliners joins Maritime Cleantech to accelerate the move to zero

The ambitious shipowner wants their new Ro-Ro vessels to become emission-free as soon as possible. The first of eight newbuilds will hit the waters next year.

Read more

09 December 2022

Working together against corruption

Corruption is a widespread challenge for companies involved in world trade. It weakens democratic institutions, reduces economic development, and contributes to governmental instability.

Read more