Freight News, Logistics, Sea

AsstrA Moves Bangladesh Power Gen to Houston

[ September 12, 2025   //   Gary Burrows ]

Swiss transport and logistics company AsstrA-Associated Traffic AG said it successfully completed a complex transportation of a main power generation package and associated equipment from Chittagong, Bangladesh to Houston.

The project began in 2023 when a new client asked AsstrA to quote budgetary shipping and transportation figures for the operation. Two years later the final shipment was successfully performed. Cargo was loaded at the Port of Chittagong from March 20 and arriving in Houston June 3.

The shipment included a power generation package, consisting of generators and all ancillary equipment, 40 individual packages, weighing 642 tonnes and an overall volume of 3,557 cubic meters. This transportation and overall operation had many unique characteristics, AsstrA said, one of which was that the used Power Gen equipment that had to be dismantled and made ready for return shipment to Houston for eventual refurbishment.

This was a part-charter operation with a fixed laycan period for loading at origin port. All equipment was transferred from the point of rest in Bangladesh to the port of exit by barge, requiring four barges required with a one-day transit time. Then the loading operation from barge to ship using ships gear was a slow and methodical operation, considering all risk and safety factors. The loading operation went extremely well, and all parties played their part well to ensure all cargo was loaded within the agreed 48-hour period.

“The operation and maneuvers in Chittagong from barge to ship proved challenging but being there to support and assist in the process reduced risks and delays,” said Colin Bagwell, team leader of IPL North America division at AsstrA. “Furthermore, there were a number of parties involved so the coordination and management time was ultimately essential and time well spent. Avoidance of delays and additional cost was also a challenge, but all overcome through close management, partnerships with customer and service providers plus open and clear communication, but above all else ‘detailed planning.’

“The export customs clearance process in Chittagong also required detailed coordination between multiple stakeholders. Having AsstrA’s experts on-site for the pre-planning stage and during the loading operations, helped ensure smooth handling and the highest safety standards.”

Tags: AsstrA-Associated Traffic, Port of Chittagong