Volga-Dnepr's 7-hour airfreight solution saves customer a 20-day sea journey

Dec 04, 2018: Volga-Dnepr Airlines (VDA) and forwarder Kintetsu World Express France (KWE) have transported an 11,000 horsepower Alstom motorised pump from Paris-Vatry, France, to Damman, Saudi Arabia.

To complete the operation of transporting 40-tonne pump, measuring 651x274x311cm, Volga-Dnepr’s An-124-100 ramp aircraft was utilised.

The transportation was organized just seven days after the initial charter request was received from the customer. The motorized pump will be used as a spare part to replace an unserviceable unit.

Volga-Dnepr’s load planning team advised on the correct preparation of the shipment in advance of the flight date, a process which embraced not only removing sea freight packaging but also fitting shackles and eye bolts to secure the cargo during its flight.

VDA used loading equipment – a rail system, extensions ramps and skate beams – as well as mobile cranes to guarantee a seamless and intact loading process at both the departure and arrival airports.

“The whole delivery took 6 hours and 45 minutes whereas with sea freight transportation the customer would have waited 20+ days,” said Ekaterina Andreeva, Deputy Commercial director, Volga-Dnepr Airlines.

In 2018, Volga-Dnepr has met demand for its specialist services from a variety of different industries, including aerospace, energy and heavy machinery sector, and the oil and gas sector, providing highly qualified expertise in handling complicated oversize equipment using its more than 28 years’ experience.

The highest growth this year-to-date has come from the oil and gas sector, with cargoes carried up by more than 40 percent compared to the same period of 2017.