Heavy cargo transported through India

Express Global Logistics (EXG) in India transported a large and complex cargo from Walchand Nagar, Pune to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The initial part of the journey was 782 kilometres inland, from Walchand Nagar in Pune, up to Ulwe jetty on two hydraulic trailers.

Barges were used to transport the cargo from Ulwe to Kollam covering a distance of 720 nautical miles. EXG completed the journey with a final 110 kilometres inland transportation from Kollam port to the destination site in Thiruvananthapuram.

EXG transported a contraction section and a settling chamber weldment with dimensions of 9.9 metres long x 5.7 metres wide x 5.8 metres high, and weighing 129 tonnes. This was transported on 10 hydraulic axles.

It also transported a silencer section assembly 5.2 metres long x 5.9 metres wide x 6.1 metres high and weighing 62 tonnes, transported on an eight hydraulic axle drop deck. Finally, it moved 100 packages of accessories by road on three mechanical trailers.

Power line obstruction

The project required the use of two hydraulic trailers to move the cargo along a preselected road that had utility and power lines lifted and shut out of the convoy’s path. The EXG team secured several permits ahead of the transportation. The project team managed electricity shut downs and tree pruning along the route during the second lockdown.

Civil work was conducted at multiple locations to ensure the oversized cargo did not face any height restrictions.

Stormy weather

Severe weather, particularly the onset of cyclone Tauktae, increased the complexity of the project

Severe weather, particularly the onset of cyclone Tauktae, increased the complexity of the project considerably.

Once the cyclone passed, the EXG engineering team conducted a technical and risk assessment to convince authorities to permit barging during a torrential downpour.

Due to the harsh monsoons the jetty had to be reconstructed at Ulwe. The onward movement from Kollam to the site was also challenging due to the demolition and reconstruction of the port gate.

The barge had to return to anchorage due to the intermittent foul weather. At Kollam port rapid ballasting was required to stabilise the barge at the time of roll off.