Europe Cargo – the Belgian member of the FPS Group network of independent forwarders and consolidators - has undertaken the loading of an unusual shipment: over 30,000 tonnes of aluminium bar, comprising almost 40,000 individual pieces. The massive shipment was bound for New Orleans, USA, on board the chartered bulk carrier Interlink Sagacity. The loading took place at two different loading terminals and storage areas in the Port of Antwerp, and took 14 days to complete using two shore cranes and two gangs per shift. The job involved stowing a staggering 39,877 separate pieces, each measuring 105 x 75 x 40 cms and weighing an average of 762 kilos. Large skids were loaded onshore by forklift with up to 18 pieces, which were then craned into the hold. The skids were then unloaded and the bars were manoevred into place using two forktrucks; they were finally packed out with wood and sea-fastened with Hercules rope. All the wood packing used had to be heat-treated, fumigated, stamped and certified in full compliance with US import regulations. Great care was taken throughout the stowing process, to ensure the cargo was loaded evenly fore and aft and on both sides, so that the vessel was not rendered unstable. After each successive layer of bar had been loaded, chocked and lashed, portable driving plates were laid on top to cover the gaps, so allowing the forktrucks to position the next layer of bar. This process continued until the bar was stacked up to 14 tiers deep, in all five holds of the bulk carrier. Europe Cargo – more usually known for handling huge outsize oil and gas projects - was the appointed charterers’ agent, and arranged and supervised all aspects of the loading and lashing. In addition, Europe Cargo provided all parties with daily updates, and handled all documentation. Johan De Paep of Europe Cargo’s Forwarding Department was stationed at the terminal full time to coordinate the entire operation throughout its 14 day duration.