Falcon Logistic's logistics experts leverage international logistics and engineering experience to plan, manage and execute large-scale, complex project forwarding assignments. One of our recent projects was the rush air transportation of 13m (42ft) long drilling pipes from Italy to an oil & gas production site in Louisiana, USA. We received the order on a Thursday morning, after which our agent in Italy arranged a same day pick up, by dedicated truck, for a weekend delivery to our facilities at Amsterdam Airport. The ten metal pipes, each weighing about 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), were unpacked, therefore not suitable for air transportation. To ensure smooth handling and acceptance by the air carrier we arranged a conference call with the carriers load master and our expert packing company so we could determine the maximum allowed outer dimensions, weights and number of crates, for an optimal loading of the aircraft. We needed to put effort into this, because there was no suitable availability of nose-loader aircraft.

With the packing specifications the crating company started their work immediately and did a tremendous job getting the crates done in such a short period of time. On Saturday morning we sent for a crane truck to collect the crates and bring them to our facilities. We selected a crane truck because this way we could easily lift the pipes from the Italian trailer straight into the crates. The crates had a reinforced bottom, so they would not bend when loaded onto the aircraft ULD, and at the same time could easily be lifted by a fork lift truck. After the crates were safely closed and a security check was performed, delivery to the airport was effected, to meet the airlines agreed cut-off time. Because of the tailor-made crates, loading was relatively easy - relatively, because loading of 42ft long crates through an aircraft side door is still a job that needs a lot of attention.

The flight left early Sunday morning and when the aircraft reached ATL airport, the shipment had already cleared through Customs as all necessary details were communicated in advance. Early Monday morning the delivery truck reached its destination in a record transit time, considering the load.