Tenders Are Invited For Shipping Operations – Multimodal International Transport Service In A Dedicated Regime For The Shipment To Japan Of The Components Of The Protective Covers Of The Spanish Contribution To The International Hyperkamiokande Project

Shipping Operations – Multimodal International Transport Service In A Dedicated Regime For The Shipment To Japan Of The Components Of The Protective Covers Of The Spanish Contribution To The International Hyperkamiokande Project. The Canfranc Underground Laboratory (Lsc) Is A Unique Scientific Facility Dedicated To Research In Particle Physics, Astrophysics And Other Disciplines That Require A Low Ambient Radiation Environment And Is Part Of The Network Of Unique Scientific-Technical Infrastructures (Icts) Of Spain. Within The Framework Of Its Research Activity, The Lsc Participates In The International Project Hyper-Kamiokande (Hk), A New Generation Experiment Aimed At The Study Of Neutrinos, Proton Decay And Other Fundamental Phenomena In Particle Physics. This Experiment Is Built In The Town Of Kamioka (Japan) And Constitutes The Evolution Of The Kamiokande And Super-Kamiokande Detectors, Whose Results Were Recognized With The Nobel Prize In Physics In 2002 And 2015 Respectively. Spain Actively Participates In The Hyper-Kamiokande Project Through The Lsc Consortium, Which Coordinates The Spanish Contribution And Is Responsible, Among Other Aspects, For The Design, Manufacturing, Validation, Quality Control And Supply Of Different Critical Components Of The Anti-Implosion Protection System Of Photomultipliers (Pmts), Such As Pmma Domes, Stainless Steel Conical Bodies And Other Associated Auxiliary Elements. These Components, Once Manufactured And Validated, Must Be Transported Safely Between The Different Facilities Involved In The Project, Both In National Territory And In Subsequent Phases Of The International Logistics Chain. These Are Large Elements, High Unit Value And High Sensitivity To Vibrations, Impacts, Point Loads And Inappropriate Handling, Whose Geometric, Mechanical And Surface Integrity Is Essential To Guarantee The Correct Functionality Of The Detector And The Scientific Success Of The Experiment. In Particular, The Development Of The Spanish Contribution To The Hyper-Kamiokande Project Requires The Performance Of Multiple Freight Transport Operations Between Manufacturing Centers, Storage Facilities, Validation Centers And Logistics Consolidation Points, With Schedules Adjusted And Coordinated With The Production And Assembly Rhythms Of The Project. These Operations Must Be Carried Out Under Controlled Conditions, Guaranteeing The Traceability Of Shipments, The Minimization Of Risks During Transit And Strict Compliance With The Established Time Windows. Due To The Nature Of The Goods To Be Transported And The Criticality Of The Project, It Is Not Appropriate To Resort To Standard Or Shared Transportation Services. It Is Therefore Necessary To Have Freight Transport Services Under A Dedicated Transport Regime, Which Ensure The Exclusive Use Of The Vehicle, The Elimination Of Intermediate Transfers, The Reduction Of Manipulations, The Control Of Transit Times And The Adaptation Of The Means Of Transport To The Specific Characteristics.