Monster Barge in Port Abidjan Serviced by GAC-OMA

The massive installation barge 'Hyundai 60' weighs in at 34,125t, is 187m long, equipped with a 1,800t crane, and was earlier engaged in pipe-laying & offshore installation works off the coast of Escravos. GAC Nigeria, with its local partner OMA Ivory Coast. says it provided a range of ship agency, husbandry & logistics services for her and her attendant fleet of support vessels in the Port of Abidjan.

The barge was demobilised and moved to Abidjan for maintenance work while she's being held in stand-by until she is needed for the next phase starting in October 2014. Upon arrival, GAC worked with TRACE-certified local partner OMA Ivory Coast to provide the range of agency, supplies, crew and logistics support the 'Hyundai 60' needed for her stay in port. The team
has also been entrusted with the demobilisation and export of a 300t hydraulic hammer  from the barge.

GAC add that the barge had to be carefully manoeuvred into Abidjan's inner anchorage, taking into account strong currents and high voltage electrical cables crossing the channel at 66m (the air draft of the 'Hyundai 60' is just 58m, leaving very little room for error). OMA Ivory Coast co-ordinated with Abidjan port pilots, and arranged tugboats and a power shutdown to
ensure that the operation was completed safely and efficiently.

Erland Ebbersten, GAC Group Vice President for Africa, Russia & Central Asia, says the winning combination of GAC and OMA helped smooth out all potential problems and deliver safe and streamlined handling of the massive vessel.

The GAC-OMA team adds that it is already preparing for the barge's remobilisation in September to return to Nigeria for the second phase of operations. That will include arranging taking care of all the formalities for 300 workers who will be brought in to work on the 'Hyundai 60' as well as clearance and delivery of ship spares and project equipment for prepare for the task ahead.