EXG in India Executes Transport & Barging of Complex Cargo
28th September 2021
Earlier this year, Indian members, Express Global Logistics (EXG) executed the transportation and barging of 191mt of complex cargo from Walchand Nagar in Pune to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala for a client's GOI project.
The initial part of the journey was inland, from Walchand Nagar to the Ulwe jetty at a distance of 782km via 2 hydraulic trailers. Barges were then used to transport the cargo from Ulwe to Kollam covering a distance of 720nmi. EXG completed the journey with a final inland transportation from Kollam Port to the final site in Thiruvananthapuram (110km).
EXG successfully transported the following pieces:
- A Contraction Section & Settling Chamber Weldment: 9.9 x 5.7 x 5.8m / 129mt. Transported on 10 hydraulic axles.
- A Silencer Section Assembly: 5.2 x 5.9 x 6.1m / 62mt. Transported on 8 hydraulic axles plus drop deck.
- 100 Packages of Accessories: Moved on 3 mechanical trailers by road.
The project required the use of 2 hydraulic trailers to move the OOG cargo along a preselected road that had utility and power lines lifted and moved out of the convoy's path. The EXG team put together a coordinated effort to secure several permits ahead of the transportation as well as managing electric shut-downs and numerous tree pruning along the route. Civil work was conducted at multiple locations to ensure the oversized cargo did not face any height restrictions.
Inclement 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 even had to be reconstructed at Ulwe. The barge had to return to anchorage due to the intermittent foul weather and at Kollam Port, rapid ballasting was also required to stabilize the barge at the time of unloading. The onward movement from Kollam to the site was also challenging due to the demolition and reconstruction of the port gate.
Despite the size of the cargo and distance covered to deliver the cargo, the project was executed smoothly. Unexpected challenges, like the harsh weather conditions and the strict lockdowns, were dealt with deftly by EXG's experienced professionals to ensure the safe and timely delivery of the cargo.
