CSS OPERATIONS, PROJECTS, AND OIL & GAS VERTICALS RARING AHEAD WITH SREENATH AT THE HELM
Presently working as the Vice President for Operations & Projects, Oil & Gas, I joined CSS in 2002. Having been given the great opportunity to lay the foundations of the CSS Branch office in Bahrain, I later moved to the sales department at CSS Dubai.
With opportunities galore for everyone, CSS has provided not just vertical growth but also a lateral growth experience. From sales to operations to supply chain management, transport, and Projects Oil & Gas, I have been allowed to handle various aspects of freight forwarding industry. That’s the secret of success behind the CSS growth story, and there is always an opportunity for all! It’s now been 18 years with CSS & 27 Years in the industry and I believe I am still as young and vibrant as the day I joined CSS.
The Projects, Oil & Gas Vertical
The Projects, Oil & Gas vertical is at the heart of logistics for turnkey projects. The division specializes in handling long-term contracts and heavy lift loads, and out of gauge cargo. We consider every project as a whole new experience. With very experienced colleagues to handle any aspect of the project at any point of its handling, we are proud to be under the CSS group umbrella. Strictly adhering to the latest ISO & HSE policies, Team Projects provide our customers with seamless solutions with zero incidents from start to finish.
Looking ahead in 2021
2020 presented many an obstacle with the pandemic, yet we performed better than 2019! We have realized that we are more or less dependent on a set of key clients to sail us through. This needs an imminent change.
In 2021, Team CSS plans to have drastic changes in strategy. We are keen to develop the region’s key customer base by increasing our market reach beyond the U.A.E to the Middle East with our offices as support pillars. By expanding our reach, we will be sought after for projects in the region. The support provided by our valuable partners will allow us to achieve this. This will be our first step for 2021 towards our long-term vision for the next few years.
As the markets open up after a disastrous 2020, several stalled projects are coming back into active mode. Team CSS is working to be at the forefront of things when the market opens.
Rising competition is a given in the project logistics arena, but an increase in project forwarders with little or no capabilities to perform is the real threat. Being a niche segment, the opportunities are immense, but forwarders with little or no knowledge can turn out to be the real spoilsport.
Propelling the CSS Vision
The CSS vision is to take the organization to be the leading integrated freight forwarder in the region. The Projects division will not take a back seat in this vision’s fulfillment, but we will be the propellant force in bringing CSS towards our common goal. By connecting our vision statement to the team, we will encourage each player to take responsibility in achieving our common goal.
It’s All About “US”!
At CSS, “I” really does not hold a stand. Working shoulder-to-shoulder to achieve the common goal, we have always called ourselves Team CSS. This is what sets CSS apart from the rest and will continue over the years to come.
With a stronger and more confident Projects Team, we will sail the roughest of the seas by following this AAA diktat. Acknowledge our shortcomings, Aspire towards the shared vision and work towards its Achievement.
The lashing & crating division of CSS Group, has successfully completed the lashing job of 3 coated steel pipes on a 40 feet flat rack recently. The specialty of the job was that the coating was of high sensitive material and upon the request of the client it was ensured that the apt lashing options and materials were used to ensure safe passage of the cargo. The cargo being out of gauge, the team had to secure and lash the cargo at Hamriya Free Zone and issue lashing certificate for the same as well. The job was meticulously planned and executed in matter of hours.
The team at CSS Projects, Oil & Energy, recently undertook a hatch cover movement from Jebel Ali port to the dry docks Dubai. The weight of the cargo was 24 tons with dimensions 13.25 x 8.20 x 1.10 m. The width of the cargo in this case was the main criterion to be looked into. The entire operation had to be scheduled meticulously as it had to connect a vessel coming in for repairs at the Dubai dry docks. The team received the unit from vessel directly and had to move the unit on wide body low bed trailer with special permissions and during specific timings provided by RTA (1 AM – 3 AM) with police escorts. The efficiency of the Dubai police system was once again displayed when they tactically handled the traffic critical control points for the safe passage of this unit throughout the movement ensuring least difficulty to the other road users. “High professionalism has to be displayed in handling critical jobs in Projects. The proven expertise and commitment could be the major factors why people rely on CSS Projects team when it comes to complicated assignments”, commented Raj George Sr. VP, Projects Oil & Energy, when he was asked about this particular move by Lighthouse.
The team at CSS Projects, Oil & Energy, recently undertook a transformer movement from Derince, Turkey to the Ras Al Khor substation in Dubai. The volume of the cargo was 1000 CBM, and included a 308 tonne power transformer and accessories. Given that the weight of the transformer was greater than the crane gear a special 650 tonne crawler crane had to be arranged at both origin and destination ports to arrange the loading and unloading of the transformer. As the shipment was time sensitive, the team at CSS had to ensure that there were no delays at any stage of the shipment until the final destination. Once it reached the port of destination, the transformer was discharged onto a 14 axle hydraulic trailer at Jebel Ali port and was then moved to the electric substation for final installation by jacking & skidding method. “This movement is a great example of how the team here at CSS Projects, Oil & Energy is able to handle movements that require multiple special handling methods, especially in the case of time sensitive shipments. The experience the team consists of gives them the confidence to immediately address the situation on hand and provide the client with the most effective solution in the given time frame,” added Raj George Sr. VP, Projects Oil & Energy.
The CSS Projects, Oil & Energy division recently completed a delivery of loose cables, which was over 16 km’s in length. The task at hand was to find a solution that would enable the client to transport and install the cable under the sea, in a smooth and effective manner.
CSS Projects, Oil & Energy recently handled and successfully delivered 12 skids, each weighing more than 33 tonnes to their final destination in Yemen. All of the 12 skids were loaded using 200 tonne cranes onto low bed trailers and were lined up in the loading area for onward road transportation. The entire operation was undertaken and supervised by the CSS Projects team to ensure the project was undertaken seamlessly with no delays encountered as it was a highly time sensitive and critical cargo.“The fact that the entire cargo was delivered to its final destination in 9 days is evidence of the hardwork and commitment the team at CSS Projects puts in regardless of the type of cargo, or its final destination. I would like to extend congratulations to the entire team for a job well done,” said Raj George, Senior VP, Projects, Oil & Energy, CSS.
The Projects, Oil & Energy division of CSS Group recently moved 1200 CBM of air cooler units and accessories from a supplier’s yard in Malaysia to the port of Alexandria which is on the West Verge of the Nile Delta between the Mediterranean Sea and Mariut Lake in Alexandria, Egypt.
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Projects Oil & Energy division of CSS recently completed yet another successful movement of Pressure vessels from Hamriya Port in Sharjah to Ras Laffan. The 3 units weighing 53 tons each was a part of the ongoing Barzan On shore Project. As an initial phase a complete route study was undertaken and required permissions and escort put in place prior to the start up. 3 X 6 axle low bed trailers were positioned for the loading and movement of the units to the site. What made this movement more interesting was the height of the units which were 4.9 meters each. This was resolved by well planned route study and the knowhow of the region by our team. The units were delivered on time and the Projects, Oil & Energy division had accomplished yet another successful movement.
Recently the CSS open yard in Jebel Ali, UAE received a substantial cargo volume of 3000 CBM which included SGC compressors and accessories which were received at Jebel Ali Port and moved to CSS’ yard for storage. They received three 120 tonnes SGC compressors on 10 axle hydraulic trailers, which were offloaded onto the ground using cranes. In addition they also received 15 other over-sized and heavy pieces for movement which was loaded onto heavy duty low bed trailers for offloading at the CSS open yard.
CSS Sales Team Jebel Ali along with CSS Projects, Oil and Energy division effectively handled all logistical requirements for the movement of Diverter Damper Blanking Plates. The Diverter Damper Blanking Plates originated from the shippers yard in Hamriyah Free Zone to Hamriyah Port then onwards by barge to Taweelah Port, Abu Dhabi to the final destination site.
CSS Projects, Oil and Energy division successfully carried out the movement of wash water tanks from Ras Al Khaimah to Jebel Ali. The volume of the cargo transported was 1200 CBM and the vehicle that was used for its transportation was an extended long 6 axle hydraulic trailer. Specialized staff from the division was on site to ensure the smooth execution of the project and the client was extremely pleased with the service delivered by the CSS Projects, Oil and energy division right from inception to execution of the project.
CSS Projects, Oil & Energy division of Consolidated Shipping Services successfully handled the export of 6 fire fighting vehicles & 4 water tankers with pumps. The shipment was transferred from the shippers yard on low beds and moved to Jebel Ali Port and loaded RORO onto the vessel to Umm Qasr. The shipment was roughly 745 CBM and was successfully handled by the projects team at the prime location. The shipment was executed as per schedule while ensuring maximum client satisfaction.
CSS Abu Dhabi has successfully completed the export of 26 units of welding machines along with 3 containers. The cargo volume was approximately 1400 CBM and the machines were exported from Jebel Ali to Xingang for one of the most valued customers based in Abu Dhabi. The heavy equipment department at CSS Abu Dhabi with the support of Ken Dinnadge, V P Business Development and under the supervision of Sujin Asst. Manager – Sales and his team, handled these cargos. The cargo was transported using low-bed trailers whilst arranging the lashing and securing done onsite under the supervision of CSS Abu Dhabi. Strategically located throughout the world, CSS has the global expertise and business alliances that specialize in heavy equipment movements worldwide. Local Knowledge with Global Expertise.
The Projects, Oil and Energy department facilitated a challenging transport movement (due to the size / weight of the transformers) for a Power project in the recent times. They were designated to receive the 4 x 335 Tons transformers, 4 x 50 Tons reactors and accessories of about 2500 CBM directly from the heavy lift vessel at Hamriyah Port – Sharjah onto hydraulic multi axle trailers for onward movement to the Ajman site location and installation onto the foundation by jacking and skidding. CSS Projects, Oil and Energy department is known for the professionalism and expertise in the movement of the over dimensional cargos. The entire project was supervised by the CSS staff from the time it arrived at the port until the heavy pieces were installed onto its final position. The entire job was completed within the committed time frame by CSS in close coordination with port, traffic department and onsite team of professionals.
CSS Projects, Oil & Energy was assigned to handle clearance, transport & installation of 3 Transformers weighing 130 tons each to Fujairah Sudah Port Substation. These transformers reached Jebel Ali port on heavy lift vessel and were directly received by hydraulic multi axle trailers. The units were then transported to Fujairah for installation. The transformers were finally installed on to foundation rails by jacking & skidding. The project was completed in 6 days. CSS team supervised the entire operation resulting in utmost customer satisfaction.
CSS Projects, Oil and Energy division has always been exceptional when it comes to handling specialized shipments of huge volume. On 13th November 2010, 9:30 AM the vessel VEESHAM OAK berthed Jebel Ali Port ready to load the cargo to Mostaghanem, Algeria. The collection of the shipment was from three different locations in the UAE (Dubai, Jebel Ali & Mafraq) which was done over a period of 2 days. Loading of 3205 CBM was a critical operation which lasted for 8 hours and was closely supervised till the end by CSS Projects, Oil and Energy division staff at the prime location. The 11 RORO equipment inclusive of 4 trucks were loaded on the Main deck and the rest 21 static units which included spare parts, frames and other equipments where loaded on the weather deck. At the end of the day it was yet another achievement for CSS Group and also a milestone for the Projects, Oil and Energy division.