Oversized load transportation to the Port of Mackay
Industry:
Material Handling
Region:
South Pac/Asia
Country:
Australia
Size/Weight:
Overall Volume: 2,445 cbm
Overall Weight: 175 tons
Heaviest Item: 175 tons
Biggest Item: 43,5 x 8,30 x 6,53 m
Based on many years of experience in the successful execution of logistics projects with OOG and heavy lift cargo, as well as its excellent reputation in the Mining Industry, Conceptum Logistics was recommended to provide its services and expertise in the management and co-ordination of over-size transport moves for this extraordinary project. A huge extendable outer shuttle ship-loader boom had to be moved from its build site South of Mackay to the city’s harbour.
In a four-hour operation the giant boom was lowered onto a pair of nine-axle Goldhofer trailers by three overhead cranes. To ensure maximum stability during movement, the unit was mounted on universal and swivel bearings so that it could rotate and swivel simultaneously.
Whereas the front trailer was pulled and steered by the lead prime mover, the second one was pushed by the rear prime mover but steered manually by its own on-board operator. The dimensions of 43.5 x 8.30 x 6.53 meters made it a challenge to obtain permits and approvals from all statutory bodies.
To determine the most practical and viable transport option for the customer, Conceptum Logistics Australia arranged three transport route surveys in cooperation with a variety of stakeholders such as the state electrical authority, the Queensland Rail, local councils and diverse contractors, consultants and road maintenance companies, all necessary for the timing and final configuration of the project.
At the end of the day and although it was as the crow flies only a few kilometers from origin to destination, we had to take a bypass route of about 85 kilometers due to the extraordinary dimensions and weight of the cargo.
With more than 40 LV power lines requiring to be lifted, three HV power lines requiring isolation, three rail traffic signals requiring to be lowered, four narrow bridges requiring cargo to be jacked on trailers to pass through and numerous street furniture to be removed, this was one of the most challenging over-size transport moves undertaken and successfully executed.
The convoy consisted of two police escorts, two electricity provider vehicles to take care of the power lines, two escort vehicles, two prime movers pulling and pushing the huge load on its twin trailers plus several further supporting vehicles including Conceptum.
To comply with all transport curfews and permit conditions, the transport was successfully completed in two stages over two days and although planning, preparation and permit approvals took months, the transport itself was completed successfully without incident in just two days.
