Antonov transports two rotatory drying drums from France to Australia

Antonov Airlines has successfully transported two rotary drying drums from Paris-Vatry Airport (XCR) in France to Port Hedland International Airport (PHE) in Australia.

The airline transported the drying drums on behalf of Australian chemical company, Yara Pilbara Nitrates, and employed eight sub-contractors to complete the project, which involved two flights using An-124-100 aircraft.

In order to secure the drying drums and to prevent them getting damaged during the flights, they were transported in tailor-made wooden saddles designed by the Antonov engineering team.

Cranes and an Antonov Airlines’ ramp were then used to load and unload the 21 m drying drums, which each weighed 57 tonnes.

“We provided a door-to-door delivery service smoothly and on time, thanks to the close collaboration between the Antonov team and our partner, YPN, together with the sub-contractors appointed for varying roles,” said Graham Witton, managing director, Antonov Airlines’ UK office.

“The Antonov Airlines team were very professional in managing the transfer of the two equipment items from France through to our remote site in the Pilbara region in north western Australia,” added Stewart Thatcher, project director at Yara Pilbara Nitrates.

The rotary drying drums will be used to manufacture ammonium nitrate to supply to the mining industry.