Windmill blades and iron ore pellets offloaded at Kandla

Windmill blades on hatch tops of Allcargo Laxmi

Necessity, we all know, is the mother of all inventions. This principle is as old as the human civilization. Energy has been the continuous need for all of us. Getting carried away with one exciting aspect usually puts other important, but not readily apparent, on the backburner. Industrial revolution brought all the most sought after comforts. In the process health and environment got compromised. Awareness, rising clout of environmentalists has forced scientists, experts and industrialists to explore and harness those sources of energy which are not taxing to ecological balance and not detrimental to human health. Global warming has become the major issue today. Our mother nature is enormously generous to keep forgiving our blunders. But things are indeed getting out of control. In a way human avarice is also to blame.

Two cranes of Allcargo Laxmi discharging a windmill blade

                    Recently I heard doctors say that air pollution is also responsible for the rising instances of diabetes! Why? Because, the pollution level is so high that it blocks the sun’s beneficial rays which are supposed to manufacture vitamin –D on coming in contact with human skin. Among numerous other medical problems, vitamin-D deficiency is also linked to the sweet malady.

Blade being positioned on a special trailer

                    Carrying windmill blades on board the vessel M.V.Allcargo Laxmi brought all these thoughts to my mind and the knowledge that India is also playing its role in keeping the mother earth clean and green. Suzlon has been in the forefront in this venture and Allcargo Logistics is also playing its part, though indirectly by transporting the windmill blades.

Iron ore pellets in hold of Allcargo Laxmi

We are excited by unprecedented growth and prosperity brought about by the concepts of open economy and private enterprise, but it has put tremendous pressure on energy supply as well. Wind energy is another change which is going on silently and largely unknown to common man. Wind energy is not that expensive, as is wrongly assumed, and has already played in impressive role in reducing the harmful green house emissions and meeting the energy needs.

Iron ore being dumped on jetty at Kandla

                     Windmill tower basically consists of a set of three blades, one hub housing generator and other components, and vertical tower. As can be seen in the photo each blade is about 60 m long and it weighs about 8 to 9 metric tonnes. Two cranes are used simultaneously for loading, handling, stowing and discharging. Our ship Allcargo Laxmi, for her size, has the advantage of unobstructed space over the hatch tops as the cranes are mounted on one side of the vessel and not on the centre line.

Crane operator working in environment friendly manner

                So, the 19 blades were discharged at Kandla on 9^th May following which holds were opened to unload the iron ore pellets that were loaded at Goa. These pellets are converted to sponge iron which in turn is used for various purposes including manufacturing of mild steel and stainless steel