Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl) has handled two charter flights for AirBridgeCargo Airlines each carrying 20 metre long machinery components weighing almost 19 tonnes.

The outsized loads were carried on two brand-new Boeing 747-8 Freighters from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands to Hong Kong, on their way to their final destination in Guangzhou, China.

Due to their length, the machinery components were secured to customised built up pallets and were unloaded through the aircraft’s nose doors.

Hactl was unable to use cranes due to local regulations so had to deploy four main deck loaders, which had to be lowered in perfect alignment to avoid any damage to the cargo.

Manoeuvring the unloaded cargo from the aircraft to the cargo terminal also presented a challenge with traffic on the ramp road being temporarily re-routed, and a direct path to the terminal was cordoned off to provide a straight journey without any sharp turns.

Hactl chief operating officer, Chee Hong Tan says: “These were among the longest shipments we have unloaded from B747 freighters, and required extreme care due to their size, weight and delicate nature.

“It’s at times like this that the vast experience and skills of our ramp team really come into their own, ensuring this unusual cargo was handled with the necessary care, and that the aircraft departed on schedule.”

AirBridgeCargo Airlines general director, Sergey Lazarev says: “AirBridgeCargo has a proven track record when it comes to oversized and out-of-gauge shipments. Thanks to our expertise and the development of our abcXL product, we are able to guarantee safe and seamless services, powered by support from our reliable ground handling partners, such as Hactl.

“For such a sophisticated and challenging shipment, the abcXL team and Hactl have performed delicate workmanship, making sure the cargo was smoothly transported and unloaded.”