"Grass" from Antigua to Middle-East
Thread Starter
Sims Fly Virtually
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
From: Used to be 3rd Sand Dune from the Left - But now I'm somewhere else somewhere else.
"Grass" from Antigua to Middle-East
Okay - I thought the title would get you looking 
Serious post though - help needed.
The consignment is - to put it non-technically - "grass cuttings". Nothing illegal or that can be smoked(!) but a simple commercial shipment of lawn-grass sprigs from Antigua to Riyadh.
Volume around 550 cubic metres, but preferably shipped in two loads. Weight? - probably about 400 tonnes for the total amount.
Shipping conditions? - In bags, and on pallets, and needs to be kept "chilled" (like fresh vegetables) but NOT frozen. Should not be "in transit" (or any other kind of van
) for more than a couple of days or so..
So my questions:-
1) What sort of aircraft (if any) would be suitable as a full-load charter?
2) If feasible, who should I be talking to? If not, alternate suggestions as to air freight options?
Yes, I know I have strayed from my R&N and Jet Blast, but hopefully the Freight Dogs can advise beter than my usual forums (fora)
Serious post though - help needed.
The consignment is - to put it non-technically - "grass cuttings". Nothing illegal or that can be smoked(!) but a simple commercial shipment of lawn-grass sprigs from Antigua to Riyadh.
Volume around 550 cubic metres, but preferably shipped in two loads. Weight? - probably about 400 tonnes for the total amount.
Shipping conditions? - In bags, and on pallets, and needs to be kept "chilled" (like fresh vegetables) but NOT frozen. Should not be "in transit" (or any other kind of van
) for more than a couple of days or so..So my questions:-
1) What sort of aircraft (if any) would be suitable as a full-load charter?
2) If feasible, who should I be talking to? If not, alternate suggestions as to air freight options?
Yes, I know I have strayed from my R&N and Jet Blast, but hopefully the Freight Dogs can advise beter than my usual forums (fora)
Thread Starter
Sims Fly Virtually
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
From: Used to be 3rd Sand Dune from the Left - But now I'm somewhere else somewhere else.
Thanks Veeps 
I hadn't checked out any freight aircraft specs for load capacity, but had suspected that we were talking "big a/c" (it was late in my time-zone when I posted, after yet another 14-hour day!)
Looked at Foyle/Antonov's web site this morning, as well as Boeing's site . . .
So the AN225 can lift the 747 Freighter and its load!
Now need to contact our supplier to find out exactly what we are shipping - it's "12,600 bushels", which equates to around 550 cu.m. (I'm told!) but the ANs can carry lots more if the weight is less than 1 tonne/cu.m.
Have passed the London contact to our Gen. Mgr. to do the "commercial talking"
I just knew I'd get my answers from PPRuNe
(PS - Now I wonder how I can wangle myself a job as "cargo attendant", coz I\'ve never flown flight deck on an Antonov )
I hadn't checked out any freight aircraft specs for load capacity, but had suspected that we were talking "big a/c" (it was late in my time-zone when I posted, after yet another 14-hour day!)
Looked at Foyle/Antonov's web site this morning, as well as Boeing's site . . .
So the AN225 can lift the 747 Freighter and its load!
Now need to contact our supplier to find out exactly what we are shipping - it's "12,600 bushels", which equates to around 550 cu.m. (I'm told!) but the ANs can carry lots more if the weight is less than 1 tonne/cu.m.
Have passed the London contact to our Gen. Mgr. to do the "commercial talking"
I just knew I'd get my answers from PPRuNe
(PS - Now I wonder how I can wangle myself a job as "cargo attendant", coz I\'ve never flown flight deck on an Antonov
)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Green and pleasant land
Suggest you try talking to a Charter Broker as they have access to different airlines / aircraft etc and are used to negotiating with airlines. I can suggest a few decent ones if you'd like. PM me for more info.
Let us know how you get on regardless
CS
Let us know how you get on regardless
CS
Thread Starter
Sims Fly Virtually
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
From: Used to be 3rd Sand Dune from the Left - But now I'm somewhere else somewhere else.
Another *-up!
A colleague messed up here - the load is actually 50 tonnes - not 500 
And he still can't tell me the weight! - he's about as much use as a chocolate teapot!!
(Pity, the rates on the AN were impressive!)
And he still can't tell me the weight! - he's about as much use as a chocolate teapot!!
(Pity, the rates on the AN were impressive!)
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Green and pleasant land
The point about charter brokers is that they act a middlemen between the shipper and all the different airlines. They do not focus on any one aircraft type or any one airline and will find the most appropriate / cheapest aircraft for any given cargo.
