TCP Receives Import of Bell 412 Helicopter

In March, TCP—the company that operates the Paranaguá Container Terminal—received an import shipment of a Bell 412 helicopter. The multipurpose aircraft, known for its use in both civilian and military markets, is equipped with twin turbines and a four-blade rotor. It measures approximately 17 meters in length, 4.5 meters in height, and just over 3 tons in weight.

“TCP’s strategy is to operate as a ‘one-stop-shop’ terminal for its clients, offering the most modern logistics solutions and services available for various needs. The helicopter operation highlights the Terminal’s capability to handle special cargo safely and efficiently,” explained Giovanni Guidolim, TCP’s Commercial, Logistics, and Customer Service Manager.

The helicopter was transported in an MAFI container (a wheeled platform without a roof or walls) and unloaded via the main ramp of a roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) cargo ship. It remained stored at the Terminal until the first week of April when it continued to its final destination.

“Handling a high-value, sensitive, and non-standard-sized cargo like a helicopter requires a qualified team and proper equipment to ensure the integrity of the goods during handling. Due to the complexity of the operation, it demands a custom and integrated logistics plan to safeguard our client’s asset,” emphasized Fabio Mattos, TCP’s Logistics Operations Manager.

The Terminal team used a large forklift to lift and properly position the MAFI container with the helicopter in the project cargo operations area (reserved for goods with weights, sizes, and dimensions beyond standard cargo). The aircraft was then prepared to be hoisted by TCP’s large reach stacker and placed onto a truck bed for final delivery.

In addition to aircraft, the Terminal also handles many other types of large equipment, such as buses, harvesters, excavators, tractors, trucks, and armored combat vehicles that exceed conventional container dimensions.

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