Background
SBS Ayrshire was established in 1996 and is a leading supplier of new and used process plant equipment and machinery to the food and beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
The company, which is based in Beith, North Ayrshire, has a global client base. It works with clients in countries including Germany, Norway, Poland, Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, Pakistan, India and the USA.
Douglas Maritime Ltd has developed a longstanding relationship with SBS Ayrshire and we support the SBS team with the movement of equipment ranging from container loads to large, out of gauge plant and machinery.
On some occasions, we have chartered full ships for SBS Ayrshire, and we’ve also been able to draw on our extensive experience and industry relationships to create bespoke solutions for the company, when needed.
The requirement
SBS Ayrshire is a major supplier of new and used stainless steel tanks, including large scale pressure tanks, bulk storage tanks and siloes.
It had a requirement for the shipment of a large volume of storage tanks to its customers in Europe and needed a partner which could ensure these shipments ran smoothly and efficiently. The SBS team also wanted to cut down on the number of movements required to ship each batch of storage tanks to its European customers.
Our solution
We supported SBS Ayrshire with the movement of its storage tanks using conventional coasters.
However, we also worked with vessel owners and operators to optimise stowage, to reduce the number of movements to sites across Europe.
The solution we identified was to stow the large storage tanks vertically in open top vessels, which reduced both the number and size of vessels needed to transport the tanks. However, to enable this, Douglas Maritime also worked with SBS Ayrshire and the vessel operators to develop a bespoke lashing system to ensure that the tanks were safely delivered to their destinations.
The results
Not only did SBS Ayrshire have the peace of mind that its storage tanks were delivered safely and on time, but the company was able to save on sea freight costs and reduce its carbon footprint, by cutting down on cargo movements.
This solution is an example of our flexible, adaptable approach in action… and demonstrates our ability to work with our partners in the maritime industry to address customers’ challenges.
Elaine Burns, Sales Director of SBS Ayrshire said: “This task presented multiple challenges and Douglas Maritime really stepped up to the challenge. The collaboration to develop the bespoke lashing system was a real game changer – we were delighted with the results!”
For more information on how we can support you, visit douglasmaritime.com or email fix@douglasmaritime.com.
