Braid Projects was recently contracted by a Scottish based engineering company to transport, load, lash and secure a new tail gas compressor and spare rotors to Jubail, Saudi Arabia with a combined gross weight of 85,000kg. The tail gas compressor’s overall dimensions were 15.2m x 5.6m x 5.4m.

The cargo operation commenced at 07.45 hours on 28th April 2017, with the tail gas compressor being lifted by shore crane, using spreader beam, lifting slings and 42 tonne SWL shackles attached to the 4 lifting points on the sides of the unit. The second (smaller) case was lifted also by shore crane and soft slings and secured by welded steel stopper plates and a total of 6 webbing straps with ratchet tensioners. Loading operations were completed in just over three hours.

The load was approved by independent marine surveyors and the vessel sailed from Glasgow at 18.00 hours. The larger item of cargo was stowed on heavy dunnage which was sufficient to support the unit.

Glasgow-based Braid Logistics Limited is believed to the first major logistics organisation to achieve ISO 14001 accreditation for its entire distribution management system. The award covers Braid Logistics entire logistics and supply chain process. For Flexitanks, this encompasses the manufacturing of flexitanks to exacting standards through to the unloading and recycling of the equipment once the delivery of the bulk liquid load is complete. For ISO Tanks, Braid has ensured that every detail from the cleaning and preparation of the equipment thorough to completed product delivery and discharge.

The ISO 14001 achievement by Braid Logistics promotes sustainability throughout the entire supply chain, will appeal to industrial organisations as well as to the food and drink industry. Allan Leddra, Braid Group CEO, believes that “Any company focused on its service, product and overall brand reputation, is making sustainability a key measurable element of the supply chain process. ISO 14001 acts as a support to our clients responsible care obligations.” Achieving ISO 14001 accreditation demonstrates to all that Braid Logistics and the Braid Group as a whole, delivers environmental confidence in the corporate regulatory arena. Certification covering just manufacturing, which often ends at the factory gates does not safeguard and work to enhance a sustainability policy that all environmentally conscious companies now demand.

Braid Logistics ISO14001 programme now extends their entire UK operation and it will now be rolled out to the Braid Group’s global network. This independent recognition of Braid’s commitment to safeguards continues to build confidence for their services and products in industries where the standards are exacting and the expectations are high.

Houston, TX- The Saudi oilmen have been constructing an impressive refinery as part of the Kingdom’s program to develop an industrial city, boost the region’s economic growth, and increase its share of fuel export to international markets. The refinery covers 12 square kilometers and once operational, will process 400,000 barrels per day of Heavy and Medium crude oil, 80 million barrels of gasoline, 250 million barrels of diesel fuel and more than 1 million ton per annum of benzene and paraxylene petrochemical products.

Although Braid has been heavily involved in several other shipments for this refinery, we were called in at the 11th hour to provide the transport of 17’ wide air compressors which are critical for the processing of crude oil and gas products at the refinery. With most conventional logistics solutions unavailable due to high shipping cost, Braid unlocked an innovative, expedient, and cost efficient solution to ship the units from New York to Jeddah. In addition, the shipment called for a direct load and direct discharge; the pressure was on to deliver the units under the crane as fast as possible.

On day one, the units were delivered at a temporary storage area and staged until ready to move to the ship. On day two, units were retrieved and transferred alongside ship underneath the gantry crane. The crane was rigged with two adjustable 30 ton spreaders, properly set at 17’, and outfitted with Kevlar padded cross supports, as well as four chain drops extended by nylon belts connected to 50 ton shackles. Stevedore crew assisted in connecting and disconnecting the shackles. A bed of twelve empty, heavy duty platforms was prepared inside hold#8, which is fitted with McGregor-type metal hatch covers, opened to receive the pieces. The units were then gradually lifted from the perimeter beam trailers and landed inside the hold. Two 2” nylon straps tensioned with ratchets and five 2” chains tensioned with turnbuckles were employed by the lashing gang and ship’s appointed lashing crew to secure the cargo. In addition, fourteen lengthwise 6” x 6” wooden skid bearers and nine doubled-up 2” x 6” wooden bearers were utilized to block and brace the cargo against the end walls. There were also some heavy duty flat racks and containers accompanying the compressors which were loaded in bay 5 and bay 6 in hold#1.
The plan was executed without delay or cost overrun. Over the course of the project, the team at Braid worked tirelessly to expedite the massive operations.

Following the completion of the job, Gus Chalos, President of Braid commented: “We are excited about what we have accomplished and our customer is thankful for the support provided by Braid”

Andrew Sangster, Group Technical & Quality Director of Braid Logistics has co-authored the latest version of the industry standard, Publicly Available Standard PAS 1008:2016 specification for the performance and testing of a single use Flexitank.

Working with the Container Owners Association (COA), this specification has been developed with flexitanks and industry stakeholders.

Andrew Sangster commented that a robust certification of the entire PAS within the flexitank industry will give greater confidence to both Logistics Managers, and Health, Safety & Environmental Managers worldwide. If uniformly adopted it will further raise industry standards.

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The patented Braid Agi-tank is an innovative purpose-designed agi-tank that provides a cost-effective way of shipping difficult to handle liquids around the world in bulk. Agi-tank is ideal for liquids with a high solids content that require mixing prior to discharge in order to improve its flow characteristics.

This innovative design uses a series of injection points on the top of the Agi-tank to pneumatically mix using injection probes that are inserted at the discharge point. The mixing system re-suspends the solids in the liquid allowing it to flow freely.

Braid Agi-tanks are ideal for shipping:

• Pepper Mash
• Fruit Pulp
• Grape Mash
• Olives
• Fish Slurries
• Drilling Mud
• Kaolin Clay
• Resins
• Tomato Products

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Braid celebrate 5 years of producing own in-house state of the art PE production

Braid are delighted to announce the fifth anniversary of in-house blown film manufacture which solely supplies Braid’s flexitank manufacturing sites.

Andrew Watson, Braid Group COO stated that the decision to engage in PE film production was an easy one.  “With dedicated in house material scientists able to create bespoke formulations, Braid are able to offer unrivalled liquid containment performance.  This affords customers full product traceability from polymer resin to finished product (flexitank), something no competitor can match”

The landmark event was attended by Braid Group key suppliers and representatives of Braid extensive global network.