HANSA HEAVY LIFT has safely loaded an ethylene fractionator column measuring 87 meters long and weighing 604 metric tons at the port of Ortona/Italy for CB&I. The piece, one of the largest ever manufactured by Walter Tosto SpA, is destined for the port of Ingleside, Texas/USA, and was loaded over the starboard side because of its exceptional length. HHL Lagos, equipped with cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 1400 metric tons, is the largest vessel to call at the Riva Quay berth at Ortona to date. “The size of the vessel and the length of the piece meant there were challenges which we overcame thanks to careful planning by our in-house engineering team and the expertise of our crew,” said Walter Prosetti, Head of South Europe, HANSA HEAVY LIFT. “The draft restrictions at the loading berth were only 5.7 meters which was a challenge. We used only minimum ballast and a stability pontoon." The operation, completed in the late afternoon of Tuesday 24th March, took place during daylight hours due to the restrictions at the berth. The lift could only happen in slow movements. Local dignitaries, including the commander of the port of Ortona, Nicola Attanasio and the Deputy Mayor Nadia Di Sipio joined members of the management team from Walter Tosto for a guided tour and reception on board HHL Lagos. The voyage to Texas will take approximately three weeks.