No daily business ... 125,000 ton crude oil and 25,000 ton propane discharged at Antwerp /01 Apr 2010/
Ahlers simultaneously handled 2 tankers for account of Statoil in the port of Antwerp. 125,000 tons of crude oil and 25,000 tons of propane were discharged.Last week Ahlers was appointed by Statoil ASA Norway, to handle their TC vessel mt “Matterhorn Spirit” (length 253.50 mtrs – GT 63,694) for discharging 125.000 mt crude oil coming from Primorsk. Vessel’s arrival draft was 14.50 meters, meaning she could only enter the port with high water.
Discharging at BRC terminal took about 24 hours only at a rate of 5,200 mt per hour via 2 x 12" manifolds. 
At the same time, Statoil ASA also entrusted us the agency of the “Captian Nicholas ML”, a 225.27 meters long, 47,173 GT, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) tanker for discharging 25,000 mt propane at AGT (Antwerp Gas Terminal) on the left bank.
Since this vessel entered the port with 11.50 meters draft, she also had to wait tidal window to enter Kallo lock on the left bank. This size of vessel is about as big as the Kallo lock can accommodate.
Discharging took approximately 35 hrs at a temperature of -45°C.
Ahlers port agency is handling an average of 600 - 650 vessels on a yearly basis, whereof about 70% tankers.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact Harry Cabus at the Antwerp port agency cell, tel +32 35437315, harry.cabus(at)ahlers.com