Glasgow-based power provider Aggreko’s success is partly based on its ability to deploy modular, mobile power equipment at short notice. So, when it won a contract to supply a 200 MW diesel-fueled power plant to a client in Zimbabwe, it turned to the logistics specialists at Volga-Dnepr Gulf to ensure it was able to meet the tight delivery deadline.

While the bulk of the equipment for this project was shipped by sea and road from various hubs around the world, airfreight was identified as the only reliable and secure option to deliver the time-critical switchgear equipment from Dubai. The flight was operated by Ruslan International – the An-124 freighter joint venture between Antonov Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Airlines

The cargo was 79,050kg of compact gas-insulated switchgear equipment used to safely connect power generating equipment to the national grid. It also helps to prevent short circuits and damage to the generators. The equipment, which needed to be transported from Dubai to Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, contained nine pieces of up to 4 meters in height.

To expedite the delivery process, Volga-Dnepr supported the Ruslan International flight with a full logistics solution, which commenced with a recommendation to modify the frames holding the switchgear equipment to ensure the cargo could be loaded and unloaded safely. Aggreko also contracted Volga-Dnepr to arrange the collection of the cargo from the Jebel Ali Free Zone and to organise two 50-tonne capacity cranes to load the cargo safely onboard the An-124-100 freighter. Additionally, the Volga-Dnepr team took care of all export documentation, customs clearance, airport terminal cargo handling and airport permits for the cranes. With the support of the Dubai World Central (DWC) airport authority, Ruslan International and Volga-Dnepr completed all of the required processes within five days.