Remote Site Portfolio
A sample of our remote destination projects from around the world: Central Asia, Middle East and Africa. We trend towards the edge of the world on our missions, to the ends of the earth.
Specializing in solutions for conflict zones in the Middle East Central Asia Africa
- Cyber Essentials Certified
The UK Government and the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) launched the Cyber Essentials certification program in order to reduce the levels of cyber security risk to government, military and civilian operations. The goal is to provide organizations of all sizes with a certification process to ensure they are protected from the most prevalent forms of cyber threats. Since being introduced, these requirements have been added to new government contracts which include military and civilian supply chains.
Case Study 1 – Afghanistan
ProCharter was contracted to manage a considerable air operation at two military bases in Afghanistan, which involved a mixture of helicopter (MI-8) and fixed-wing ramp aircraft (IL76, AN32, AN74, AN12).
The initial focus was to quickly identify the most efficient and cost-effective aircraft available in the region and educate local staff on maximizing aircraft utilization through effective load planning. These initiatives resulted in significant reduced per kilogram costs and financial savings.
ProCharter mobilized high-caliber staff to both locations within 48 hours of request. These personnel, with extensive experience on many aircraft types, in several remote and challenging locations throughout Afghanistan and Africa, were deployed to initiate and oversee the project.
The intensity of this project was immense and put our staff under huge pressure at times. But their experience, qualities, and professionalism allowed them to maintain the operational tempo, without compromise or complaint from our client and the end user.
Installing our own aviation software system (PAS) was instrumental in the project, with the many functions it offers, flight statistics, document archiving, financial and operational reporting, flight scheduling, remote access by HQ’s, movement messaging, and reconciliation.
Over 3000 flights had been completed before coalition forces withdrew from Afghanistan, which included 1500 helicopter flights.
Case Study 2 – Somalia
“ProCharter received a request to move a shipment of portable fuel bladders from a manufacturer in the USA to their client in Somalia. This was time critical and outsized cargo, which was expected to attract significant penalties for late arrival.
ProCharter put together a multi-modal transport solution, which would meet the timelines, and also greatly reduce the original anticipated costs. It soon became obvious that to make this work, and avoid any delays, problems or spiraling costs, our team would need to closely manage the whole process, including positioning staff at key points.
The cargo was collected by truck from the manufacturer and delivered to Chicago’s airport. From here it was palletised and moved on a commercial schedule service to Dubai World Central (DWC). Our UAE freight expert was dispatched to DWC airport, to ensure the shipment’s paperwork was processed, transit paperwork prepared, and other formalities completed. Once this was in hand, arrangements to move the cargo to Jebel Ali Port to meet the required sailing were made.
An uneventful journey to Mombasa allowed our team some time to plan for the vessel transfer, and the next sailing along the coast to Mogadishu. The cargo was transferred to a local dhow vessel at Mombasa, under the supervision of a ProCharter operations manager. Client was kept updated throughout the transit period. From here the vessel sailed to Mogadishu, where our team were also waiting. Our manager was on hand to liaise with all parties, and supervise the release and transfer on to the trucks, for the last stage of the journey.
There were plenty of challenges encountered with this project, but the determination of our team to make it work, showed in the end, and our customer, and the end client were extremely pleased.”
Case Study 3 – Nepal
ProCharter received a request from to mobilise and position an Operations Manager to Kathmandu, to represent several operators, in response to the Humanitarian Disaster. The most suitable and available staff member was identified, briefed, and mobilized within a matter of hours, and arrived in Dubai for final briefings, personal administration and preparation.
A variety of aircraft types was anticipated, and it was clear from the outset that there would be many challenges to overcome; runway restrictions, aircraft landing weight limitations, likelihood of further tremors, accommodation availability, ability to clear cargo from ramp efficiently, and the intense international response with relief flights. Detailed load planning, cargo preparation and documentation, and cargo handling and loading supervision were part of our responsibilities in Dubai.
ProCharter arranged for their Operations Manager to fly on one of the first cargo charter flights, and he immediately got to work on arrival, offloading the aircraft with local staff, and assisting to clear the cargo as quickly as possible. He continued this for almost 24 hours, before a temporary lull in the operation allowed for some much-needed rest. Liaising with other International Aid Agencies and volunteers as quickly as possible, was essential, and attendance at the LogCluster meetings was vital.
This was the start of a long and challenging period, and the intensity was sustained for several weeks. Fortunately, the operation began to follow structure and routines, allowing for a much more efficient and effective process. Our Ops Manager also experienced the second earthquake while in the hotel, requiring immediate evacuation from the building. This sent a clear message to the watching world that Kathmandu was in constant danger, as well as the staff working there.
ProCharter also received requests for helicopter support, and our team identified two Mi8-MTV’s available for immediate deployment by IL76 from Moldova. At the same time, ProCharter was working on a contingency operation for an International Government Agency, to stand up and manage a hub and spoke operation from Lucknow in India, to receive wide bodied cargo aircraft, and transfer the loads to smaller IL76 ramp aircraft, to fly into Kathmandu. If this contingency plan was to be activated, ProCharter would have needed to deploy managers to Delhi and Lucknow, and additional support to Kathmandu. We put several staff on 72 hours’ notice to move.
Having an immediately available team with significant experience was a key factor in the detailed and fast-responding contingency plans, which were not activated in the end, but we received praise from several agencies.”
Case Study 4 – Iraq (Syria)
“Procharter was asked to set up and run a new airbridge into Iraq from a neighboring country. Initiating a project like this takes a lot of planning, and thorough communications with military staff in Iraq, as well as all stakeholders.
On receiving the task order, we immediately mobilized two of our most experienced operations managers, who were operational within a few days. The swift flight, aircraft and load planning allowed the first flight to operate within a few days of our arrival, much to the delight of the end customer. The volumes and payloads varied from flight to flight, so it was essential to plan the loads effectively, to maximize aircraft utilization.
The Procharter team also devised SOP’s for all aspects of the supply chain, from warehouse cargo build, through cargo delivery, and acceptance, to aircraft loading. All DG and general cargo paperwork and cargo is prepared and completed by our team, and they also supervise the loading of the aircraft. Using our own aviation software system (PAS) was important, with the many functions it offers: flight statistics, document archiving, financial and operational reporting, flight scheduling, remote access by HQ’s, movement messaging and reconciliation.”
Case Study 5 – Djibouti (Somalia)
This was a joint project, to source, contract and manage a cargo aircraft, to be based in Djibouti. Suitable aircraft available in the region were identified as the Fokker 27 (F27) and AN26. Although the payloads are similar, the F27 has a side loading door, and the AN26 is ramp loading.
The F27 was positioned into Djibouti and our operations manager, was deployed at short notice. Within a few days of the aircraft’s arrival, the first cargo flight was planned for a return flight to Mogadishu. This was the first of many flights throughout the region, including to Yemen. As a backup, the AN26 was used several times, and the flights operated in reverse from its base in Mogadishu. To maximize aircraft capacity and utilization, thorough load planning was carried out, working alongside several partners in the region.
This project lasted 4 months.
Case Study 6 – Sri Lanka (Mali)
ProCharter deployed a logistics team to Sri Lanka at the request of the United Nations MINUSMA mission to assist the Sri Lankan army with their deployment to Mali.
“On arrival, our team engaged with the army logisticians as well as the local shipping agents. Large deployments like this involve a lot of careful planning and management, and we were able to quickly devise a plan to enable efficient loading and documentation of all vehicles and containers, including the handling of a significant amount of Dangerous Goods “, said Procharter Director Steve Day.
Maj Thusitha Dewapriya, from the Directorate of Operations, said
We are extremely grateful for the support from Procharter; their experience of these types of operations was clear to see, and the expert guidance and training provided to our teams was welcomed and appreciated by all.
Procharter Director Steve Day commented, “this is further evidence of our capability, versatility and experience in managing multi-modal logistics solutions for our clients. Our team has excellent support from the Sri Lankan Army, which helps to achieve our objectives.”
General Information: The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks. The Mission was asked to support the transitional authorities of Mali in the stabilization of the country and implementation of the transitional roadmap.
By unanimously adopting resolution 2164 of 25 June 2014, the Council further decided that the Mission should focus on duties, such as ensuring security, stabilization and protection of civilians; supporting national political dialogue and reconciliation; and assisting the reestablishment of State authority, the rebuilding of the security sector, and the promotion and protection of human rights in that country. – United Nations
Photo: ProCharter © 2015