deugro delivers 2,265 pipes from China to Argentina

For an industrial project, deugro Spain, in collaboration with deugro China and deugro Chartering, successfully delivered 2,265 pipes from China to Argentina. The coated and concrete pipes—measuring 20”, 24”, 30”, and 36” in diameter—had a total volume of more than 14,600 cbm and a combined weight of over 10,000 metric tons. The shipment was executed from the port of Shanghai, China, to the port of San Antonio Este, Argentina. Despite a tight charter market, deugro’s specialized Chartering Department, leveraging its long-standing strategic carrier relationships and extensive experience, successfully secured an effective charter solution tailored to meet not only the client’s high quality standards but also the project’s requirements for maximum flexibility. The biggest challenge was ensuring the safe, timely, and efficient handling, transportation, and coordination of 2,265 sensitive pipes against the backdrop of strict loading and discharge schedules, as well as stringent safety and industry standards—where any misalignment or delay at any stage could have critically impacted the overall project timeline. “Handling this significant volume of pipes presented major challenges in terms of space management, stowage optimization, lashing design, and sequential planning. Given their sensitivity, the pipes required stringent protection measures, including defined requirements for support, lifting, stacking, and allowable stresses, as well as custom-engineered lashing solutions to prevent pressure points and deformation,” said Santiago Vaquero, Sales and Business Development Manager at deugro Madrid, Spain. To protect the coating and structural integrity of the pipes, deugro arranged appropriate cargo securing equipment and measures, including padded slings, certified wooden separators, and soft handling methods, as well as continuous visual inspections during loading and discharge. Moreover, ensuring an efficient stowage layout was essential to maximize cubic capacity while maintaining the vessel’s structural integrity and stability.

“As the cargo was delivered by two different suppliers—one by truck and the other by barge— the receipt, consolidation into a single ocean freight shipment, and subsequent handling of the pipes required exceptional attention to detail, seamless communication, and precise coordination among all parties involved,” said Juan Andrés Muñoz Luque, Sales Executive at deugro Madrid, Spain.

Continuous on-site supervision by deugro’s local teams at the loading port, combined with close coordination with partners at the discharge port, as well as seamless communication with all stakeholders, ensured the prevention of potential bottlenecks at the berths and adherence to the strict loading and discharge windows. Idle time was avoided, while vessel stability and optimized deck arrangements were maintained—facilitating a smooth, well-sequenced discharge. As a result, loading was completed within the planned three days and discharge within just eight days, without unnecessary storage, delays, or additional costs for the client.

“The cargo consisted of coated steel pipes, which are highly sensitive. When handling such large quantities, even the smallest mistake can result in damage and render the cargo unusable. Throughout this shipment, not a single pipe was damaged—neither during loading, the ocean voyage, nor discharge.

The excellent collaboration and communication of our deugro teams with the client and all partners ensured delivery without coating damage, avoiding costly repairs, project delays, and any environmental or safety risks, and allowing the project to progress without deviation from the timeline,” said Santiago Vaquero, Sales and Business Development Manager at deugro Madrid, Spain.