CEA Project Logistics (located in Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Singapore) have a proven track record in specialised transport and one of their niche areas of expertise is helicopter transportation having previously completed several projects for the Sikorsky Group and their Seahawk SH-60 (click here for example). This experience was a key factor when a new client chose CEA's specialised transport services for several Agusta Westland AW149 medium-class helicopters.

The Royal Thai Navy have ordered 5 helicopters to be delivered and CEA were employed to carry out the complete unloading at Laem Chabang Port and transportation to the Utapao Navy Base for assembly. After assembly, the helicopters will fly to their new base in Northern Thailand to replace the Bell UH-1H helicopter.

Earl Brown (Marketing & Communications Manager) explains; "The helicopters arrived at Laem Chabang Port A-5 on the NYK vessel, Oceanus Leader. Each helicopter was shipped on a MAFI trailer with a bespoke fabricated saddle for the rear landing gear. Laem Chabang Terminal Tractors removed the helicopters from the vessel, positioning them next to CEA's 50tn mobile cranes. Each helicopter was then lifted from the trailers by a specialised hook attached to the main rotor (the five shackles of the hook were fixed to the main rotor by five lifting slings) and lowered on to awaiting Air Ride trailers also each fitted with a saddle for the rear landing gear.

Wooden chocks were placed on the front landing gear and lashing was safely applied. CEA further secured the cargo with more two more lashing slings connected to the rings on either side of the fuselages. After the other aircraft accessories were loaded and each helicopter was lashed and secured, the convoy began the 70km journey to the Royal Thai Navy base at Utapao in Rayong Province with a CEA escort vehicle used throughout the specialised transport to ensure maximum safety on the route.

Upon arrival at Utapao, the CEA teams removed the lashing, allowing the 50tn mobile cranes to lift the helicopters from the trailers using the same method as before and placing them in their respective hangers. The project was swiftly handled with a duration of just 7 hours from start to finish." See below for photos of the expertly handled operations.

http://www.ceaprojects.com