New Zealand GPLN member successful transfers the Volvo yacht from Auckland to Spain

Oceanbridge Shipping, a Global Projects Logistics Network (GPLN) member in Auckland, New Zealand, were involved in the airfreight movement of a Volvo Ocean Race 70ft yacht and four state of the art racing yacht masts out of New Zealand to Spain. There was only one aircraft in the world capable of lifting a shipment of this size and that was an Antonov 124 aircraft. Working closely with partners in Europe Oceanbridge coordinated the preparation of the cargo so that the stow plan, which was very tight, could be realized by ensuring packaging and the yacht cradle were designed specifically for the trip.

The loading took place at Auckland International Airport early on a cold Southern Hemisphere winter’s day.

“After the meticulous preparation the loading took six hours during which time the masts and then the yacht and additional cargo associated with the yacht, were loaded in strict order to ensure every available space in the aircraft was used,” recounted Richard Thorpe, Oceanbridge’s projects manager.

At the end of the long day the 18 crew members were able to head to Spain where they were greeted two and a half days later by a beautiful early summer’s day and their Europe based agent to unload the aircraft and deliver the yacht to the proud Volvo Ocean racing team while the four rigs continued their journey northwards, by road, to northern Europe, the UK and Scandinavia.