DB Schenker transports 920 kilometers of cable from Japan

Approximately 920,000 meters of cable and around 43,000 tons of total weight: Project logistics experts from DB Schenker are currently managing one of the most extensive logistics projects for the energy transition. In an integrated, multimodal transport concept for the manufacturer Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd., a total of 876 cable drums are being transported from Kobe, Japan, and Mannheim to the three locations of Emden, Wesel, and Krefeld.

(Essen/Mannheim) There, they will be stored until called upon by the project management. The cable drums will be installed in the so-called Corridor A-North of the transmission system operator Amprion in a new power line. This will enable the use of wind power from the North Sea in urban areas in western Germany.

Thorsten Meincke, Board Member for Air and Sea Freight, DB Schenker: “As a world-leading specialist in project logistics, DB Schenker offers its customers optimal end-to-end solutions from a single source. We have extensive expertise in managing geographically, temporally, and volumetrically complex projects. We are proud that our experts are contributing to the success of the energy transition with this challenging assignment.”

Daniel Wieland, Senior Vice President Global Projects & Industry Solutions, DB Schenker: “Our global team of experts orchestrates the extensive major project. From the conception, planning, and coordination of multimodal transports to customs clearance, storage, and delivery, our customer receives tailored, safe, and reliable services from our project specialists.”

The cable drums, weighing up to 85 tons, have a diameter of more than four meters and can be up to eight meters long. The power line Corridor A-North forms a main artery of the energy transition, channeling wind energy from the north into the metropolitan areas of North Rhine-Westphalia.

From the production site in Japan, DB Schenker transports the cable drums by sea from the port in Kobe to Emden or to the western ports in Antwerp and Rotterdam. From there, connecting transports to Krefeld and Wesel are made by inland vessel. At the same time, DB Schenker brings cable drums from a second production site in Mannheim both by inland vessel and by heavy transport truck to the three interim storage locations.

Multimodal transport concept from a single source

For the cable manufacturer, Sumitomo, DB Schenker thus offers a multimodal transport concept from a single source. This includes the complete logistical value chain, including the coordination of all modes of transport, and encompasses the pre-transport from the factory by truck and inland vessel, port handling, cargo monitoring, and the chartering of multipurpose cargo ships, customs clearance, special permits from authorities, as well as the provision, organization, and monitoring of more than 11,000 square meters of interim storage in Emden, Wesel, and Krefeld. Custom project-specific IT solutions provide up-to-date information on the overall project progress.

Photo: © DB Schenker