Superloads At Saldanha Port
CONCARGO was commissioned by World Groupage Services (a sea freight and forwarding company) to handle the transportation of a bucket wheel reclaimer and two ore stackers from Saldanha Port to a mine in Postmasburg. The total distance is approximately 850 km.
The total shipment weighed in at 840 tons and measured 6 200 cubic meters. Sixty-three trucks were loaded totransport the equipment of which 42 are abnormal out-of-gauge loads, four of which were superloads up to 9.54 meters wide. These had to be loaded onto a mix of 100 ton lowbeds, step decks and extendable trailers. The balance of the loads was made up of tri-axles and superlinks truck tractor articulated vehicles.
The shipment arrived in Saldanha Port on 6 November from the Far East on a special charter vessel. It was the biggest project shipment ever handled by the Port so far.
The abnormal load project was no small task as it was subject to the issuing of permits by the Department of Transport and Public Works. The loads needed to be staggered in such a way to keep the disruption of general traffic flows to a minimum. Provincial traffic escorts were required to ensure the safety of other road users. The most challenging part of the route was Piekenierskloof Pass. Route surveys and traffic accommodation plans had to be carried out prior to the transportation of the larger loads, and in the case of the superloads, periodical closure of the roads were necessary.
Source http://www.cbn.co.za
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