Express Global Logistics transports and barges complex heavy cargo through India

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Express Global Logistics (EXG), member to the Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC) in India, executed a transportation from Walchand Nagar, Pune to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The initial part of the journey was 782 km inland, from Walchand Nagar, Pune up to Ulwe jetty utilizing 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 km inland transportation from Kollam port to the destination site in Thiruvananthapuram.

EXG transported the following packages to complete the project:

• A Contraction Section and a Settling Chamber Weldment with dimensions of 9.9 x 5.7 x 5.8 m weighing 129 MT. This was transported on 10 hydraulic axles.
• A Silencer Section Assembly measuring 5.2 x 5.9 x 6.1 m weighing 62 MT. This was transported on 8 hydraulic axles + drop deck.
• 100 packages of Accessories moved on three mechanical trailers by road.

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 put together a coordinated effort to secure several permits ahead of the transportation. The project team managed electric shut downs and numerous 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.

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 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 the Kollam port rapid ballasting was required to stabilize the barge at the time of roll off.

Despite the size of the cargo and distance to be covered to deliver the cargo, the project was executed smoothly. Unexpected challenges, like the harsh weather conditions and the strict lockdown, were dealt with deftly by EXG’s experienced professionals to ensure the safe and timely delivery of the cargo.