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PROJECT FORWARDING AWARD
Aberdeen to Foynes. According to Arnott: “There was no Customs precedent to call upon for the export, import and transit declaration processes in Foynes or Kerry for equipment and personnel going to/from the drillship operating on the Irish Continental Shelf. “Therefore, our Customs scenario was new territory for Ireland’s Revenue Commissioners. Although they were receptive to potential solutions that we suggested, these all had to be discussed, reviewed and agreed to ensure they were legal within the EU Customs regulatory framework.” With its extensive experience in projects of this nature, both in the UK and internationally, ACE was able to map a bespoke Customs solution that was compliant with the Revenue’s Automated Import System (AIS), applicable by local officers and practical for the client to implement. Summing up, Arnott said: “As a project freight forwarder, the pre-operational legwork to research and develop a comprehensive project logistics strategy is absolutely key to every successful project delivery. “For this project, pragmatism and patience were required when negotiating with government authorities and a respectful approach was needed when engaging and rolling out requirements and procedures with the local vendors.” ACE received a five-year contract renewal from this client in August 2021. For over 40 years, Peter Lole & Co has been insurance advisor to the freight and logistics industry. In 2021 we joined forces with Macbeth Insurance Brokers and are extremely proud to continue our association within this sector under the Macbeth name. Whether your business specialises in freight by sea, air, road or rail, or handles specific goods, we can provide advice on applicable trading conditions and contractual obligations. As an Associate Member of BIFA, we are proud to continue our support of the BIFA awards. the British government regarding its level of support for the industry in the past year. Arnott said. “We need a sensible strategy towards a long-term transition plan, which provides energy security for the UK in the short to medium term and one which provides stability and surety to the UK oil and gas industry, allowing all to progress in strategic alignment towards achieving our country’s future net zero targets.”
Ed Arnott of ACE Forwarding
Drillpipe and equipment being loaded.
When an international energy company was preparing for a remote offshore drilling project in the Atlantic Ocean, it chose BIFA Project Forwarding Award winner ACE Forwarding as its logistics partner ACE’s bespoke solution
factor for our client.” The most challenging operational aspect of the project was its intense schedule. Arnott explained: “The end project site was a very expensive drillship hired on a day rate of hundreds of thousands of pounds, with extremely limited offshore storage areas – meaning that cargo needed to arrive in Foynes exactly when needed, otherwise rig downtime would be incurred.” Dangerous goods ACE transported over 2,300 tonnes of equipment from Aberdeen to Foynes by road – including DG Class 1 explosives, Class 7 radioactive materials and 20 m long baskets. It also chartered a number of coaster vessels to convey 2,600 tonnes of drillpipe and out-of-gauge rig safety and contingency equipment from Limassol and Energy strategy plea Ed Arnott, business and commercial director of ACE Forwarding, pointed out that North Sea oil and gas is vital in providing energy security in the UK, as well as being pivotal for the country’s necessary and just transition towards net zero targets. However, there has been mixed and highly reactive and contradictory messaging from
ACE Forwarding was asked by an energy company to undertake a comprehensive study of available infrastructure, Customs regimes, transport routeings and timings for an Atlantic drilling project, as well as the capability of in- country operators in Ireland. Following agreement to implement its recommendations, ACE was engaged to provide full end-to-end freight forwarding support, Customs management and aviation logistics services for the project to support a drillship positioned 232 km off the coast of Ireland in water depths of 2,200 m. Kerry Airport and Foynes Port were identified as the best options for crew change helicopters and the supply vessels supporting the drilling campaign. ACE provided training at both gateways to ensure safe and compliant operations. Ed Arnott, ACE business and commercial director, recalled: “Although oil and gas logistics experience [at Kerry and Foynes] was limited and needed to be developed from the ground up, the budgetary efficiencies from using these ports were significant and also ensured that local content was maximised, which was an important
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November 2022
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