CEA Project Logistics were privileged and honored to assist the Royal Thai Navy on a recent project that involved transporting a USD 7 million Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. The Seahawk was to be moved from its base at Utapao Airport in Rayong province to one of CEA’s facilities in Laem Chabang, there it would be processed ready for shipment to Australia where it would undergo a full refit.

The CEA team arrived early in the morning at Utapao airport home to Seahawk Squadron 302 and began the operation, as Utapao is an active military naval base the team had a window of just 2.5 hours to complete the first stage of the project.

First the Seahawk’s main rotor blades were carefully packed into a military cargo crate while the tail rotor blades were placed in a CEA custom made crate and surrounded by rubber to ensure no damage would occur during transportation. These crates were then lifted on to a CEA flatbed truck and strapped securely. A 25 ton crane was used with Modulift spreader bars to lift the valuable cargo on to a CEA Air Ride trailer, it was then carefully lashed and strapped and covered with a tarpaulin to ensure extra protection and security for the 60km journey to the CEA facility in Laem Chabang.

Upon arrival at Laem Chabang the Seahawk was uncovered and all straps and lashes were removed allowing it to be lifted from the Air Ride trailer by use of a CEA Reach Stacker and placed on a 40 foot flat rack, this flat rack was modified by CEA to accommodate the Seahawks landing gear. Once again it was strapped, lashed and covered in readiness for the short journey to port.

The Seahawk’s rotor blades and other accessories were packed into a 40 foot container and secured in place with lashing straps. After the container was sealed cleaning and fumigation in accordance with Australian DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) requirements was applied.

The cargo was then safely transported and loaded onto the vessel bound for Australia.

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