Trans-Arenas

Our US office based out of New Jersey has over 50 years of combined expertise in freight forwarding, encompassing comprehensive global import and export operations across all facets of the industry.

For this project it was their specialism of OOG (out-of-gauge) movements that was required by long-standing agent Trans-Arenas in Colombia, alongside the consignee in the transportation of a John Deere 1270E harvesting machine from Bremerhaven, Germany to Cartagena, Colombia. The machinery, a critical asset for the consignee’s forestry operations, presented unique logistical challenges due to its size and weight, measuring 12.00m in length, 3.00m in width, 3.75m in height, and weighing 20,500 kg.

As the project started, key challenges emerged:

• Current Space Availability: Securing space for OOG cargo on the preferred NYK Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) service route posed a significant hurdle. Given the route’s popularity and high demand, space allocation was competitive and required precise timing and coordination.

• Communication difficulties with Seller: Effective communication with the seller was problematic, causing delays in finalising essential details and documentation for export.

• German Customs Inspection Demands: Unanticipated physical inspection by German customs authorities added another layer of complexity, threatening the project’s tight schedule and necessitating swift problem-solving to prevent delays.

• Dynamic Adjustments for Timely Delivery: Adapting logistics on the fly to meet the port of loading deadlines required quick and efficient decision-making, emphasising the need for seamless coordination among all parties involved.

To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach was implemented, leveraging the strengths and expertise by all those involved.

• European Introductions: Dinuka Madapatha, our UK Head of Projects, assisted with an introduction to Germany based LS Cargo, who handled the local export customs formalities. Their expertise ensured that the necessary paperwork and customs procedures were efficiently managed, smoothing out initial bottlenecks.

• Optimising Communication Channels: Despite the communication difficulties with the seller, persistent efforts by our team ensured that all required information and documents were secured on time. Regular follow-ups and clarifications via email bridged communication gaps.

• Handling Customs Inspection: The sudden customs inspection was managed effectively by closely working with LS Cargo and providing all necessary documentation promptly. This proactive approach minimised potential delays, ensuring that the cargo could continue its journey as planned.

• Securing Space on NYK Ro-Ro Service: Our Business Development Manager, Cheslavo Korytkowski, leveraged his connections and negotiation skills to secure the necessary space on the NYK Ro-Ro service. This crucial step ensured that the OOG cargo could be transported within the desired timeframe.

• Dynamic Logistics Adjustments: Throughout the transit, adjustments were made to address emerging challenges. Our US operations team provided continuous support with documentation, ensuring compliance with all requirements. Regular progress updates were communicated to Trans-Arenas via email, keeping them informed at each stage of the transit.

• Final Delivery: After 16 days of direct transit, the John Deere 1270E harvesting machine arrived safely in Cartagena, Colombia. Our team coordinated closely with Trans-Arenas to ensure a smooth handover to the consignee meeting their operational needs.

This project highlighted our US team’s ability to manage complex logistics, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of critical machinery. The collaboration between our team, LS Cargo, and Trans-Arenas was instrumental in overcoming the challenges, demonstrating our commitment to delivering exceptional service even under challenging circumstances.