1. Introduction
The concept and requirement of Heavy-Lift Cargo (HLC) transportation in Middle
Eastern Countries has emerged after the invention of oil. Knowing the full potential of
oil, the impact it can have on the energy hungry world, directed the Arab world,
especially the Middle East Countries, to explore the sources of energy (oil and gas)
into more and more areas it would be discovered. The on-shore explorations and the
offshore explorations received equal importance. Collaborations with European and
American oil & gas multinational companies showed significant enthusiasm in the oil
and gas explorations in the Middle East Countries. Oil & gas explorations in the
Middle East were part of common agreements from 1960’s and 70’s onwards
between the Middle East countries and the Western World.
The Arab Countries in the Middle East like, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and
Oman and most recently Qatar pioneered the trend of modernization that are hungry
for progress recognition among the Arab World. These explorations brought more
discoveries of the oil & gas reserves and sources of resources. More revenues were
pumped into these countries in terms of the revenue generated by the oil and gas
exports. A growth upwards was visible. Simultaneously the growth of trade in the
related products and industry too witnessed tremendous growth. More constructions
in various fields were required mostly for the ever booming oil & gas projects, oil-rig
movements. Power- stations and sub-stations around would be a necessity as it
symbolizes the growth in several industries that invite large scale construction. Ship
building docks, Air ports and many similar constructions in the infrastructure are part
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2. of the development programs visualized by the visionary leaders of the Middle
Eastern Countries. All these types of constructions require Heavy Lift Cargoes of
various types and Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) movement as per the project requirements
is unavoidable. Transportation of Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) is vital in terms of such
timely project executions. And the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) transportation in the
Middle East regions became an off and on requirement for the construction
industries. According to the Logistics World News, dated 10th
-May-2007, “Over
dimensional cargo specialists, the worldwide project consortium, could expect strong
demand for it’s services during the next 12 months, fuelled by the need for power
plants, and oil and gas equipments” according to the organizations general manager
Kevin Stephens. Stephens told during the 7th
Conference held in Cape Town, South
Africa that “Members have already demonstrated success in the movement of heavy-
lift, outsized cargo and this is generating new business as a worldwide project
consortium further consolidates its reputation as a truly global logistics problem
solver”. Yes, Heavy Lift Cargo Transportation field is generating new business
opportunities and newer challenges.
Heavy-Lift Cargo (HLC) transportation is the most difficult type of cargo
transportation in preparation, planning and implementation in it’s various modes of
cargo transportations. This is one of the most risk oriented types of cargo
transportations mainly due to it’s over-size, over-weight aspects. Clear vision as well
as the sound planning and professional execution for this type of transportation are
mandatory requirement for the successful completion of the job. During the last three
decades the Middle East countries witnessed tremendous improvement in the field of
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3. constructions, mostly in infrastructure build up, the construction of oil field platforms,
rig movements, power stations and substation build ups, roads, city planning,
construction of sea ports and air ports. Any successful project completion depends
on the contractor’s ability in delivering the correct material or shipping and
transporting the suitable machinery needed for the project in order to complete the
timely constructions.
Increased oil revenues generated by the oil exports, the Middle East countries
diverted to the field of construction. As a result regimes started to think an economy
not totally based on oil revenue. They gave ample importance to infrastructure
developments with the revenue that the windfall of oil price increase brought. As Ian
Bremmer says in International Herald Tribune, published on August-27th
-2005,
‘prices transform oil into a weapon’. He says ‘there are two reasons that the oil has
become an effective weapon. First, there is very little spare production capacity in
global oil markets. Both OPEC and non-OPEC countries are producing at close to full
tilt’.
Jerry Tailor and Peter VanDoren, in their joint article titled as ‘Oil Weapon Myth’ says
the impact the oil revenue making into the economies of several countries. The
Middle East countries are trying to provide it’s inhabitants with better living conditions
and amenities. All necessary facilities are being planned during the recent decades.
This trend invites so much of construction boon in every sector and this trend is to go
upward with more construction requirement and various types of projects.
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4. Logistics professionals worldwide believe that ‘to get a product in the right place,
right time, right quantity, in the best condition in an acceptable cost’ is being
visualized as a major challenge of logistics management’ World Cargo News by Jeff
Ashcroft. A commodity has of little value if it is not being available in the right time or
place one wish to have it.
Heavy-Lift Cargoes are mostly manufactured in Multi-national companies’ factories
or yards, (transformers, generators, gas and steam turbines, evaporator modules,
power cable drums, shunt reactors etc) or constructed in some convenient jetty or
docks of the contractor (oilfield rigs, platforms, MED units of energy companies etc.)
prior to transported to the construction sites or placed where the contractor wish to
have them, on to the transformer, reactor foundations.
Unlike the general break-bulk cargo transportation to the construction sites that an
efficient supply chain would execute successfully, Heavy-Lift cargo (HLC)
transportation would require elaborate preparation and planning from all parties
concerned right from the shipper’ premises at load port, comprising of shipper’s
forwarder shipping lines’ representative, Local Authorities and Government
departments who control the roads, and access routes closer coordination with load
port authorities for the efficient and safe handling of the Heavy-Lift cargo and safe
loading in particular on to the vessel. An effective and professional inland
transportation route survey from the exporters’ warehouse to the load port and from
the offload port to delivery site shall support as part of planning and coordinating
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5. among all parties concerned. In short, all interested parties in the Heavy Lift Cargo
transportation would contribute their best in terms of professionalism in the safe and
successful operation, handling and movement of Heavy Lift Cargo from one location
to the other.
While the Heavy-Lift Cargo ( HLC) in transit, the consignee and all concerned parties
at the discharge port plan and prepare themselves to receive the Heavy-Lift cargo
from the vessel safely to a secure storage area inside the sea port prior to moved to
the construction site for successful project execution and testing. All the conclusions
emerged during the planning process being recapped as part of the preparations to
receive the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC).
After the safe discharge of the Heavy- Lift Cargo to the sea port, the Consignee’s
forwarder and the forwarder or his agent, barge operator, and all other parties
interested will have to come into one umbrella and work out a safe schedule until the
Heavy-Lift reaches on to the specific work-site or on to the plinth of the foundations
designed by technical experts on behalf of the consignee.
In the following sections the definitions of Heavy-Lift cargo (HLC), how it is being
moved form the factories and construction jetty’s to the construction sites, what types
of vessels, cranes, trailers, professional workers’ skill-set requirements other
inevitable moving and skidding system requirements for the effective movement of
the Heavy- Lift cargo will be discussed and final recommendations would be provided
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6. for the improved handling and movement of the Heavy-Lift cargo with reference to
the Middle East circumstances.
‘An effective manager will be an effective coordinator’. The effective coordination is
the key to the success for any type of job especially for the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC)
transportation.
Oversized and Heavy-Lift Cargo Transportation needs massive and carefully detailed
preparation in to many technical aspects and effective coordination is of paramount
importance. Finding the optimum route is the most important task. Experts in this
fields works out several possible options in finding the shortest possible routes to
each shipment and offer the one that fits the specific cargo the best. Multimodal
transportation would be required, i.e. road-sea-road or road-river-road.
In spite of the general understanding that the coordination shall be at its perfect level
when we plan to carry out the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) transportation. The multi-
skilled engineers and the major parities of the supply chain process shall be well
aware of the actual schedule and movement of the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) in order
to achieve the effective and successful movement.
According to David J. House, in his book Marine Heavy Lift and Rigging Operations,
‘The movement of bulk cargoes, both dry and liquid has expanded considerably
alongside increased development in the third world especially in Middle East.
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7. However, this expansion has not been limited to just bulk cargoes. Containerization,
roll on, roll off and designated project cargoes are all sectors which have seen
increased activity in the field of heavy lifting practice’. He says ‘the lifting and
transportation of heavy weights has always been inherent with the maritime
industries. The need to ship excessive loads, in a highly competitive commercial
market is the need of the time.
He says ‘the Offshore industry in particular, generated probably the greatest interest
in modular construction for oil and gas installations around the world. It is from the
origins of early floating cranes, which later developed the multi-purpose crane
barges, floating sheer legs and salvage craft that has led to the massive activity and
development in our coastline regions. Installations being constructed to mammoth
proportions dominate the skylines of the world’.
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8. Chapter 1, Heavy-Lift Cargo Transportation-Definitions
U.S. Department of Defense defines (DOD) Heavy-Lift Cargo (HLC) as ‘Any
single piece of cargo lift, weighing over 5 long tons, and to be handled aboard
ship’. In the Marine Corporation’s usage, any Individual units of cargo that
exceed 800 pounds in weight or 100 cubic feet in volume’ can be called as
Heavy Lift. The website of eyefortransport.com describes heavy lift as’ Single
commodity exceeding the capacity of normal loading equipment and requiring
special equipment and rigging methods for handling’.
During the early decades of 20th
Century, when there were inadequacy of lifting
and most modern equipments were not common, this could give a clear
understanding. I think the concept has a wider understanding in the later and
recent times. By the later half of 20th
-Century the world witnessed tremendous
progress in the field of construction, especially the reconstruction of Europe after
the Second World War. The more the inventions in the transportation and lifting
gear industry, the shorter the risk and the world’s concept of Heavy Lift Cargo
(HLC).
Heavy-Lift Cargo (HLC) may include items such as large manufacturing
machines, power generation equipments like transformers, gas turbines, steam
turbines, windmills, power cable drums, reactors, high-voltage testing
equipments used for sub-station and power station testing, adapters, military
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9. equipments or any other oversized or overweight cargo like temporary
accommodations and caravans, too big or too heavy to fit into a container and
the gross weight is above the permitted tare weight of a 40’ft container for a
single piece.
The maximum permitted gross weight of a reefer or a flat-rack or high-cube
container during transit via ocean or road or rail is about 45 tons as permitted by
maritime operators, like shipping lines and transporters, and sea port authorities
worldwide in the transportation industry on a container load.
A Heavy Lift –Ship (HLS) is designed and capable of loading and unloading
heavy and bulky items. The ship has booms of sufficient capacity to
accommodate a single lift up to140 tons. But this capacity is improving year by
year. The heavy lift shipping companies like Beluga GmbH, Biglift shipping
company are investing their resources to build ships of 1400 ton lifting capacity
which is the latest additions. As per the news that is published in Biglift shipping
company website news, “In Dampier, Australia, m.v.”Enchanter” exchanged reels
with ESO Venturer, Technip’s installation vessel, working offshore Dampier. Two
full reels, weighing 240 metric ton each, had been loaded in Rosyth,UK, late
December-2006”. Thus we can witness tremendous improvements in the field of
heavy lift shipping in terms of the lifting capacity of the heavy lift vessels.
A 5 -6 ton weighing cargo would not always be a heavy-lift cargo, if it can
be kept inside any type of container, even on a flat-rack or open-top container
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10. and transported to different locations. If there is difficulty in stuffing the Heavy Lift
Cargo (HLC) into a container and moving it safely outside the container and can
be transported to the desired destinations treating it as break bulk or Heavy-Lift
Cargo (HLC) considering the weight and dimensions of that item and the way it is
being securely lashed within the parameters of a suitable container.
There are certain types of shunt reactors manufactured by Toshiba Corporation,
Japan, weighing about 24 to 30 tons a single piece, can not be transported on a
flat rack container even though the weight of the reactor is suitable for a flat rack
container the dimension does not fit with the container. Hence, it is to be shipped
and transported treating considering this as a Heavy-Lift Cargo (HLC).
Let us not mix Heavy-Lift cargo with abnormal cargo, over-dimensional cargo or
with break bulk cargo. Break bulk cargo is typically material stacked on wooden
pallets and lifted into and out of the hold of the vessel by the cranes on the dock
or aboard the ship.
Break bulk cargoes are usually the machine parts, transformer accessories,
reactor accessories, prefabricated construction materials, power generators
accessories, gas insulated switch gear, gas circuit breaker used in the sub
station, salt, oil, ore, and scrap metals etc are usually defined as commodities
that are neither on pallets nor in containers, and which are not handled as
individual pieces, the way heavy-lift and project cargoes are.
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11. The term cargo is used to denote goods or produce being transported generally
for commercial gain, usually on a ship, plane, train or a truck or a combination of
all. Nowadays containers are used in all inter-modal long-haul cargo transport.
Transportation can be defined as moving a cargo or any form of it from one
location to another location where the consignee wish them to have using any
mode of transport available by sea, air, train and land or the combination of the
above. In the wide sense of the term ‘ transportation’ we can even say that oil
and gas transit through the pipe lines is also a mode of transportation apart from
the traditional mode by air, sea and land. When selecting to use such a mode
fuel transportation ‘transit fee’ to be paid to the regional governments. Iran-India
gas pipe line project is one of the examples where Pakistan benefits transit fee
from the beneficiaries of this project for the permission given to these two
countries to construct the project pipe line through it’s waters-Arabian Sea.
Electricity transmission from the power stations to different sub stations to feed
different areas to can be said transmission but a type of transportation in the
wide sense of the term
At present Heavy-Lift transportation requirement in the Middle East mostly for the
importation of machineries and equipments required for completing various types
of oilfield, power station, substation projects in different sectors constitute the
major portion of the Heavy-Lift transportation requirement in general, in the
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12. Middle East. Military build up requires a huge part of Heavy-Lift movement and
the related logistics requirements can be kept aside for further discussion.
United Arab Emirates, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of
Oman, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq are the Middle East countries where major portion of the
project related construction takes places. Save the current crisis in Iraq where
military build up headed by U.S. troops is a routine activity where most of the
tanks and the related military hard wares belong to the category of Heavy Lift.
Most of the other nations in the Middle East countries, project related
construction and related Heavy-Lift cargo transportation is part of the routine
construction program and it is vitally important in the progress of these nations.
Unlike the developed European countries, Middle East has witnessed in recent
years ample requirement for power and energy. Oil and Gas related explorations
in the offshore regions of the Middle East countries and the subsequent
exploration, oilfield platform movement, placing demands several Heavy Lift
cargo for the construction of projects on-shore and off-shore.
Qatar and United Arab Emirates in recent years, have planned for many
sophisticated multi-billion infrastructure projects, apart from the other Middle East
countries where development of it’s sea ports, air ports, sub stations, strategic
high ways, construction of rail ways, bridges and roads. Dubai metro rail way
project is one of the classic examples of such prestigious development that is
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13. scheduled to be operational in 2007. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japanese
Multinational being the winner of this prestigious project has invited it’s vital
partners to join hand in hand with the strategic movement of the metro rail
components that are mostly Heavy-Lift Cargo (HLC)
As much powers stations, sub stations and oilfield platforms these countries
build, or scheduled to have the more importation of Heavy-Lift cargoes and
transportation of such cargo increases it’s importance of Heavy Lift cargo
transportation and handling in the region.
Heavy-Lift cargo transportation is required for the Middle East more frequently
than before due to the trend of increased developments of these countries’
infrastructures. Infrastructure means, the sea ports, air ports, roads, bridges,
water desalination plants, power stations, substations, power cable projects and
the industrial infrastructural growth there by building air port free zones, sea port
free zones.
According to the Middle East Economic Survey published in 2004-July-12th
by Ali
Mezra ‘a construction boom is forth coming, which is initiated and fuelled by
sizable investment programs. This is bound to raise important policy issues and
unleash a host of economic and social consequences. Ensuring developments
take place within an economic structure that had been exposed to repeated
structural breaks. Our projections for the coming decade show that the
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14. commanding role of the oil revenues could continue, thus risking the perpetuation
of the rentier economy. On the other hand development efforts, especially during
the critical ten years ahead, will be threatened seriously by the looming burden of
dept and repartiation service. Based on our projections of the balance of
payments gap we find out that a reduction in external dept of about 80 % is
necessary to sustain development and growth. The envisaged new set of
institutional and policy changes will transform the closed economy to an open
one and would, most likely, improve economic efficiency. However, if not
augmented by deeper structural reforms the dependence on oil may continue.
The paper recommends a set of structural reforms in the education, economic
and social spheres that may enhance the opportunity for economic
diversification, which is not only necessary for sustainable economic
development but also equally import for social and political stability and
accountability.’
The Middle East Economic Survey by Ali Merza says, ‘After 1952’s so-called
profit-sharing agreements, rapidly rising share of oil in government revenues
started a process of enduring, far-reaching and reinforcing developments in
economic, political and social change. Between 1947 and 1977 the economy had
moved from a mainly rural society (66% of total population) depending almost
exclusively on the proceeds of oil exports. The toiling for scarce foreign
exchange in the past gave way to the leisure of getting the oil rent. Concurrently,
the state widened it’s domain in economic sphere through budgetary spending,
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15. i.e. construction of infrastructure and social capital and current expenditures
(1952-1963). Afterwards, the domain was widened further through encrochments
on the private sector and direct involvement in production.’
All the above socio-economic and political out looks of the Middle Eastern
countries gave ample impetus to construction boom in various scales and
shipping and transportation of specialized electrical, power and oil platforms to
and from various internal and international locations were routine for the project
completions.
As a matter of consolation, no major Heavy-Lift Cargo transportation related
accident has been reported so far in the Middle Eastern Countries due to the
professional use of trailers and equipments as part of the requirement. Most of
the technical expertise were being hired for accomplishing the related tasks were
being hired from the Globes major players in this field mostly western operators
who are pioneered the concept of Heavy Lift Cargo Transportation in the
European and American Continents.
Organizations can hardly afford to have any mishap during the Heavy Lift Cargo
(HLC) transportation. If some accident occurs, the repercussions thereby will be
very costly as well as drastic in terms of the possible loss of human lives and
damages to public or private properties. An incomplete or unfinished project will
bring bad overheads on the contractor and high operating expenses to the
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16. organization. Above all the bad reputation of the organization in it’s inability in
discharging the duty in the appropriate time frame would reasonably eliminate
the contractor from the industry. Or such incidents would create some
unnecessary questions in the ability of the contractor in discharging the projects
within the pre approved time frame. About the quality standards and the penalty,
the contractor has to pay back to the Client for it’s failure to completing the
projects in time, and comply with the standards would demand liquidated
damages from the contractor. Also the contractor has to bear the cost and risk of
replacing or repairing the equipments or compensate the property damage as
required by the existing norms of the Middle East Country where these types of
Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) is agreed to be taking place. So much of cost will be
involved in such issues and there for the Heavy Lift operators shall take all cares
to avoid such type of incidents during the process of Heavy Lift Cargo
transportation.
Prior to planning the shipping of a Heavy Lift cargo, a sound understanding of the
actual scope of Heavy Lift movement is required. On these motivating factors,
the Heavy Lift cargo transporter has to visualize and develop a sound strategy for
practical Heavy-Lift cargo movement in the mind prior to the actual cargo
movement takes places. Every stage in the process of Heavy Lift cargo
movement has a vital role to play as if every link of a supply chain is important in
achieving the total effectiveness of the supply chain performance. Any weak link
of a supply chain will defuse the potential and effectiveness of the supply chain.
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17. Same way any in any ineffective unprofessional planning of Heavy Lift cargo
movement may not be successful or short of achieving the achievable goal.
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18. Chapter 2, Heavy Lift Cargo Load Port Preparations and loading
Rambabu Yeleti of Satyam computer Services Ltd, in his article on Intelligent
Logistics defines intelligent logistics as “smart”, foresight-driven, sensory, responsive,
adaptive logistics’. ‘The four pillars of Intelligent Logistics are” embedding
“intelligence into logistics processes and systems involve building four robust pillars
of integrated planning and execution, Visibility, Collaboration and Analytics.
Intelligence in planning and execution means according to Rambabu’ The foresight
and responsiveness are essentials at all levels of the logistics-strategic planning,
tactical planning, operational planning as well as execution. It is equally important to
build strong linkages between planning and execution processes and systems to
embed “smartness” into Logistics”. All these suggest that the planning and execution
are not different but go hand in hand. Without proper planning of the transportation
tasks, the professional execution would not be possible.
Rambabu says’ A key ingredient of “smart” Logistics is to have a tightly integrated
planning and execution. Batch- oriented optimization and transaction- oriented
execution must be give way to ‘real-time optimization’ and ‘responsive execution’ with
a close loop feedback linking planning and execution. Visibility refers to true
understanding of customer demand’. ‘Collaboration’ demand, inventory, schedules
etc are shared, enabling better planning. This can help make all the parties “smarter”
through better decision making’.
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19. Planning a shipment of Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) starts from ex-works preparations,
considering the original location, place from where the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) is
originally required to move, from the factory or construction jetty. The shipper,
shipping line and he Heavy Lift transporter have to ensure a well-balanced, fully
integrated project planning where quality and safety are never compromised during
the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) shipping and transportation. This integrated approach
among all parties involved in the supply chain minimizes program delays and the
need for contingency measures.
The shipping of a Heavy-Lift cargo (HLC), the entire job is usually awarded to a
capable, professional and reputed transporter or forwarder on a turnkey basis,
including, works from the ex-works, route survey, loading on to the vessel, shipping,
receiving the Heavy-Lift Cargo at the discharge port on the self-propelled modular
trailer or on trailers, inland transportation up the desired site or positioning the Heavy
Lift on the pre-designed plinth of the foundation. Or the entire job is being split into
two or three sections as onshore section the ex-works up to loading the (HLC) on to
the vessels from the factory or jetty including the inland transportation. This is
usually called as the off-shore section and awarded this task to a transportation
company that can load the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) on to the vessel, arrange
necessary inland transportation preparations up to the vessel, capable of booking the
Heavy Lift Vessel (HLV), arranging the route survey planning and tight coordination
required.
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20. Toshiba Corporation, head quartered in Tokyo, Japan a leading sub-station and
power station contractor in Abu Dhabi, in United Arab EmiratesJ, for it’s transmission
and distribution division in United Arab Emirates, the Heavy-Lift Transformers of 345
ton, 275 ton and other Heavy-Lift cargoes of various types’ transportation jobs are
awarded to the transportation company as a turnkey basis. The entire scope of work
will be contracted on a turnkey basis to an experienced and professional transporter
in Japan for effective handling. The turnkey contract winning forwarder or transporter
chooses it’s inland transportation agent locally in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates or
the country where Toshiba is building sub-stations. A professional or a team of
supply chain professionals from all segments of supply chain involve in the careful
market analysis in selecting an efficient and professional transporter.
Various aspects they consider in their evaluation of a transporter prior to final section.
The due consideration is always awarded in the transporters’ past experience in the
similar Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) transportation and forwarding. The transporters
contact and influence with the local Governmental departments like customs
authorities as well as the police department, Municipality are given due weightage.
Due to the strict rules, moving Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) through the cities would be
always a matter of concern for the local authorities and police. Professional load plan
reparation, presenting it to the Government department and obtaining their
permission to move the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) would of paramount importance once
the selection process of a transporter is in progress.
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21. A supply chain professional from the contractor will be monitoring the progress, the
movement of the Heavy-Lift Cargo (HLC). Wherever there is a requirement for
guidance and involvement the contractor’s supply chain professional get involved.
The Supply chain professional provides with any assistance, guidance to the inland
transporter, forwarder as required for the project completion schedule. The supply
chain representative of the contractor provides the transporter with necessary
coordination with the Client such as shipping document endorsement, or site access
preparation or any other support required in order to achieve the Heavy-Lift cargo
(HLC) movement to the desired location where the contractor wiling to have the
Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC).
Other major contracting companies like Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, ABB,
Ansaldo, Siemens, Bechtel Corporation, Halliburton, Shlumberger follow the similar
methods in transporting Heavy- Lift cargo such as oilfield transformers, reactors, gas
and steam turbines from their ex-work premises to Middle East Country’s project
locations.
Multi-National Company (MNC) like Bechtel, a major Engineering, Procurement and
Construction (EPC) Corporation purchases their major Heavy Lift Cargo- Gas
Turbine for their Gasco project in Hubshan, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from
Godrej, supplier from Mumbai-India mainly due to the cost and distance factor.
Savings in time makes substantial cost-saving in terms of freight paid to the shipping
line. The cost of such heavy item purchased from Europe would be costlier than it is
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22. from Asia. Not only the material cost, the transportation cost from Mumbai-India is
cheaper than any other sea port in Europe or U.S.A. Purchases of this type generate
substantial savings to the buyer in terms of freight and squeezes much transit time in
terms of transportation of the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) to Abu Dhabi Port. The Port
Zayed of Abu Dhabi provides ample facility for the consignee to store the Heavy Lift
Cargo (HLC) in their heavy lift cargo storage area specially made. The Port Zayed
Sea Port Authority charge a very nominal storage fee as tarrif from the consignee for
such heavy lifts who are registered in Abu Dhabi Customs.
In Dec- 2006, Bechtel has brought a Gas turbine manufactured by Godrej-India is
kept in the Heavy-Lift cargo area of Port Sayed which is 701 tons heavy (one single
piece). The distance from Mumbai JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) to Port Zayed
Abu Dhabi is of shorter distance in comparison with the distance from New York or
any other American locations to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
There is substantial cost and time savings in terms of time and cost in choosing to
ship the equipment from nearby locations. The shipper will make sure that the
Heavy-Lift Cargo like transformers and reactors are handed over to their respective
contractor after carrying out proper testing and covering with out affecting any
damage in immaculate working conditions.
Oilfield rig movement takes places within Middle East Counties’ to the oilfield
installations quite often. Due to the expansion of several oilfield installations spread
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23. all over the Middle East, especially within the OPEC (oil producing and exporting
countries). Most Heavy Lifts such as oilfield rigs, oilfield platform and oilfield
accommodation modules are constructed near to some convenient jetty and then
moved to the desired location using barge and then a suitable trailer for inland
transportation.
David J. House says ‘ the rigging skills of personnel associated with a successful lift
operation should not be undermined. Their dedication to achieving what sometimes
may appear as the impossible lift, is without equal. By the very nature of the task, the
managers and operators have placed the safety of the personnel and the protection
of the environment at the forefront of the heavy-lift/transport industry. Nothing can
expect to move without detailed ‘Risk Assessment’ and even the project cargoes,
heavy lift ships and major commercial operations all adhere to the first maritime
principal for the Safety of Life at Sea.
Jacking and skidding such Heavy Lift in to the required positions would be requiring
immense professional expertise. There are very few professional transportation
companies working on to this very specialized field of sophisticated movement and
transportation. These companies employ and maintain a fairly good team of skilled
and dedicated technical professionals and technicians who will control the entire
operation to it’s final successful completion.
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24. In order to ship a Heavy-Lift Cargo, it is mandatory that the shipper makes an
advance research to book space on a Heavy-Lift / Break Bulk Vessel from a shipping
line of adequate reputation in the International Maritime Industry. This shipping line
shall be permitted to operate to the sea port location where the shipper needs to
transport the Heavy-Lifts. The shipping line shall possess valid sea worthy certificates
authorized by the IMA, (International Maritime Agency). It would be better to choose
a vessel which is certified sea-worthy and not older than 15 years considering the
risk factor. Even International Insurance companies charge higher premiums from the
shipping lines that operate with older vessel that is relatively more risk involved as
published in the World Cargo News.
The Heavy Lift Cargo, like general cargo can be insured against all risks prior to
starting the actual movement and the insurance becomes effective upon issuing the
original shipping documents like Bill of Lading, Invoice, Packing List etc. To be on the
safe side, the insurance coverage need to be for 110 % of the CIF value of the Heavy
Lift Cargo. The 10 % is added with the actual 100 % to cover the overhead and the
related expenses in case an unexpected loss occurs or damage to the Heavy Lift
Cargo. We have to rule out the possibility of pilferage for such Heavy-Lift cargo
considering the weight and volume. The Shipper or Consignee, depending on the
shipping term may increase the insurance cover in such way to protect their company
interest.
24

25. The Heavy Lift Vessel shall have an inbuilt Heavy-Lift cargo loading crane fitted on
the vessel. In case the Heavy-Lift cargo intended for shipping is heavier than the
stipulated capacity of the inbuilt crane in the Heavy Lift vessel, a floating crane of
suitable capacity shall be ideal option. Within Port Zayed, Abu Dhabi operations, a
floating crane up to 5000 ton capacity is available on special request and the
shipping line as per their requirement hires from the Sea Port Authority for their
operation. The controller of such high capacity floating cranes in most cases shall be
the Sea Port Authority. Or any reputed third party will own such cranes and would
lease as per the operational needs of the shipping lines for a reasonably high rent for
the service of such floating cranes.
The process of loading the Heavy-Lift cargo into the vessel is a very critical operation
and special care need to be maintained till the successful completion of the
operation. Imagine, if a Heavy-Lift Cargo (500 MVA transformer) of 350 ton is fallen
in the water or it is being dropped on to the vessel or any other related mistakes
would occur, it would be costing dearly to all interested parties. Moreover, it would
bring in irreparable damage to the reputation of the sea port, shipping line and other
interested parties. The shipping line and the associated forwarding companies will
normally take necessary precautions in order to get rid of any such mistakes.
The wind, tide, current of the sea port berth and surrounding areas, the water level
where the loading takes places will be a very sensitive. Accurate and professional
calculation and study of the environment would be essential in order to make the
25

26. operation a success. Once the loading on the way and successfully completed, the
manifesting will start. The shipping line can issue the original Bill of Lading as an
evidence of the receipt of Heavy Lift on to the vessel and as a contract between the
carrier and shipper and forwarder who ever is involved. The Heavy Lift vessel thus
starts the voyage to its’ final destination sea ports.
The weather conditions ‘Act of God’ or unexpected mechanical or technical troubles
would impact or delay the vessel schedule to the backward voyage. The Etd
(Estimated time for departure) will be affected due to such ‘Act of God’. The vessel
schedule to different routes would be planned based on the inducement basis ie
depending on the Break Bulk Cargo as well as the Heavy Lift Cargo availability. For
example a vessel capable of carrying 20,000 freight/ton would expect to load a
minimum of 80% of it’s loading capacity for the reason that that particular voyage has
to make profit in operation. And profit is made in the form of collection of cargo
suitable for such vessel. If the cargo availability for such vessel is relatively less than
the actual capacity of the vessel, then the shipping line would revise the schedule
expecting some additional cargo by delaying the ETD (Estimated time for Departure)
by a couple of days. However, making more profit is the main motto of any voyage.
26

27. Chapter 3, Heavy Lift Cargo –shipping and discharge port preparations.
As the saying goes, ‘necessity is the mother of inventions’, something better than
what was available till then, was necessary during the Second World War to win the
battle. The concept emerged among the major blocks of war finding solution for and
expansion of heavy lift ships were necessary during the Second World War. The U.S.
Navy built several floating dry-docks during the early 1940s to assist during the
Second World War. The purpose was that these floating garages could be moved to
the nearby locations to repair the crippled ships and keep them ready for the battle.
In 1945, one of the last floating dry-docks to be built for the war was placed into
service. Built by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, medium auxiliary floating
dry-dock Resolute proved herself an invaluable asset to the war effort. According to
Trish Hoffman, ‘Heavy Lift ships are designed specifically to carry large cargo like
dry-docks, damaged vessel and oil rigs’. “The dry-dock is secured to Mighty Servant
1 by a sea blocks and sea fastenings, each keep the dry-dock stable” says Jay
Standring, MSC marine specialist. “Such exact measurements require months of
planning”
While in transit to each sea port, the shipping line will issue the ETA (expected date
of arrival) to the consignee or it’s forwarding agents regularly to the forward located
sea ports. Even a minor variation in the ETA (expected date of arrival) of the vessel
27

28. to the forward located sea ports will have impact on the vessel schedule as a whole
as well as the sea port schedule.
The three major shipping lines with reputed heavy lift cargo vessels mostly operating
in the Middle East countries are
1)Beluga Shipping GmbH, Bremen, Germany
2)NYK Lines-U.S.A
3)UASC (United Arab Shipping Company), headquartered in Kuwait.
4)Biglift shipping of Netherlands
Beluga Shipping GmbH has forecasted to build Heavy Lift cargo vessels with lifting
capacity of 80 -1400 ton for the year 2011.
According the news published in the website of biglift, “BigLift Shipping is undertaking
an investment program to extend the fleet in numbers of vessels and in lifting
capacity. A contract was signed with Larsen & Toubro of India, for the construction of
two multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels.
The main characteristics of the newbuildings are:
length o.a. 154.80 m
beam 26.50 m
scantling draft 9.50 m
deadweight 18,680 mt
The vessels will be equipped with two Huisman heavy-lift mast cranes, each having
an SWL of 900 mt: lifting capacity in tandem 1800 mt.
28

29. The new buildings will have 1A Finnish Ice class, have hydraulically operated upper
deckhatch covers, pontoon tweendeck covers at adjustable heights, two trolley
cranes of 37.5 t SWL, hold ventilation and heating, C02 and sprinkler systems in the
hold. The vessels will be able to carry all kinds of dry cargo as well as project
cargoes and heavy lifts in the most efficient manner.
To carry very tall heavy lifts such as cranes, modules, etc. the ships can sail with the
upper deck covers totally or partially open. The vessels will be delivered end 2009
and early 2010. BigLift and Larsen & Toubro agreed on two further options for sister
vessels. The vessels are built at the brand-new shipbuilding facility of Larsen &
Toubro at Hazira”. Biglift Shipping Line too plays a very active role in transporting
Heavy Lift Cargo to the Middle Eastern Countries as observed by the author.
These heavy lift carriers in the tramp segment for worldwide project and heavy-lift
shipments (in contrast to liner services that operate on a scheduled fixed route, tramp
vessels are deployed by the shipping company on an adhoc basis-depending on the
post where cargo is destined to)
-petroleum industry
-chemical industry
-large-scale plant engineering
-rail-mounted vehicle industry
-power station industry
29

30. -mechanical engineering
-commercial vehicle production
-offshore industry
-ship yards
When a reactor or a turbine have to be transported from U.S.A, Korea or Japan to
Qatar, U.A.E, Kuwait, Iran, Oman or any other Middle Eastern countries, the project
freight forwarders and heavy-lift cargo shipping companies into play. Producers of
large-scale plant equipment are already concerned about where they will get suitable
tonnage in future.
The worldwide economic upswing of the past years is now making itself felt in project
logistics, too. However, the heavy-lift, project market with oversized and overweight
investment goods is getting off the ground sluggishly because of the long planning
times. According to rough estimates, around 450 to 500 million tons of break bulk
cargo which cannot be stowed in any container, are shipped across the ocean. The
forecast s regarding the rise in demand in the breakbulk market vary for the individual
segments. However, they will delight the carriers and freight forwarders. According to
concurrent estimates by BDP Logistics, Panalpina and other transport providers, the
market is set to be expanding at a two-digit growth rate, but there is lack of
investment in the breakbulk fleet. The shipments to Middle East are recording over
proportionate growth rate.
30

31. In spite of the forecasted growth prospects in the breakbulk transportation, the
currently available capacity in maritime transport for projects is not woefully
inadequate. According to Drewry Shipping consultants, the fleet of multipurpose
vessels has shrunk continuously, with a total reduction of 44 million dwat (dead
weight all told) between 1985 and 2003
Altogether the present –day fleet comprises 3,570 multipurpose carriers having
diverse equipment with a total of 35 million dwat (dead weight all told). The average
age of the vessel is now around18 years. Modern units, equipped with tweendecks,
barely account for a 24-percent share according to Drewry.
The situation is particularly tight in the segment encompassing large individual
weights of 500 ton or more. Only a handful of specialized carriers operate in this
sector. This includes shipping companies such as Jumbo, Biglift. The operating
heavy lift vessels of these shipping companies are such a “rare species” that ship
owners have to charter the vessels as much as one to two years in advance. Tailored
transport solutions are developed for shippers and their customers on the basis of
the special lists in the cargo engineering department. This is a major prerequisite for
project business.
According to a study by University of Delware, “ the international freight shipping
sector consumes around 290 million tons of fuel a year”. In comparison
approximately 125 million tons of oil are burned in Germany annually. The heavy
31

32. quantity oil used by vessels has a high sulphur concentration. Experts of Lloyd’s
Register Quality Assurance in London estimate that vessels release ten million tons
of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere worldwide.
The new ship’s power unit is designed to reduce the oik consumption of vessels
significantly in the future. A company in Hamburg, Skysails GmbH & Co, has
developed a towing kite propulsion system similar to a hang –glider that can power
carriers using the force of the wind. The towing kite is navigated from a fully
automatic control center and optimally adjusted by means of a pull rope.
According to this company, 10-20 percent of the fuel on average can be saved in this
way. Besides the cost savings in fuel, there is another advantage with SkySails: a
reduction in pollution emissions. Due to the more stringent regulations, shipping
companies are faced with considerable costs. This automatically falls on the
contactor and thereby increases the overall cost of the heavy-lift cargo transportation.
Up to 40,000 ships worldwide could be equipped with the new ‘auxiliary sail’ by 2013
according to current estimates. As the first shipping company worldwide, Beluga
shipping will use the new “SKS160” wind propulsion system on the 140 meter long
multipurpose heavy-lift project carrier MV.”Beluga Skysails” beginning in 2007 as
stated in the Beluga website. Then this theory shall be put into practice. If everything
functions as expected and economic efficiency has been demonstrated, regular
32

33. series production of the towing kites for freighters could be launched in 2008, the
website stated.
The system was already tested successfully on the Baltic Sea of Wismar in
September 2005. In the case of a normal heavy-lift vessel, about three to four tons of
fuel a day can be saved with the help of wind energy. Based on current oil prices,
that amounts to 1200 dollars a day that will create a very last impact on the
international business and heavy lift shipping stated the website.
The longer the vessel unable to discharge the specified Heavy-Lift Cargo to each sea
port within the stipulated schedule, the bigger the cost that the shipping line has to
pay to the sea port authority as vessel demurrage. Unlike the container demurrage,
the vessel demurrage at sea port will be huge and such demurrage would have a
reverse impact on the total overhead planned for the voyage. The shipping line would
prefer to spend relatively less time in the sea port due to the demurrage factor the
shipping line has to pay to the Sea Port authority. Over and above, other Heavy Lift
cargo discharge, vessel arrival schedule to different sea ports would be reasonably
affected. This will create a negative impact on the reputation of the service of the
shipping line and for the future voyage, shippers may opt for an alternative shipping
line if the shipper did not received service as anticipated from the shipping line.
Once, the vessel completes half of the voyage to each destinations, the Eta
( expected date of arrival) of the vessel would be intimated to the consignee and it’s
33

34. notifying agents frequently in order to provide them with a pre-alert for the
preparation of the necessary Heavy Lift Trailers suitable for the cargo, or self-
propelled modular axel trailers readily awaiting a day in advance to the designated
sea port to receive the cargo if it is being offloaded into the Heavy Lift Storage
location of the sea port. Each sea port where Heavy Lift cargo is to arrive will have a
specific area for storage of the Heavy Lift Cargo. The Heavy Lift Cargo that is being
discharged at the sea port as indirect delivery would be kept under the sea port
storage area where it would be fully prepare for such Heavy Lift Cargo. Some times
some Heavy Lift cargo being cross docked at the terminal to facilitate the actual
movement that takes place always during the night.
If the Heavy Lift Cargo is directly loaded on a suitable barge directly from the Break
Bulk Vessel, a barge would be kept ready to receive the Heavy Lift Cargo. The
Heavy Lift Cargo, positioned and lashed in the Heavy Lift vessel would be lifted out of
the Break Bulk Vessel or rolled on the berth of the sea port and then loaded on the
suitable barge for affecting the actual movement of the cargo during the suitable tidal
conditions. The Heavy Lift Cargo transporter usually brings suitable self-propelled
modular axel trailers with suitable jacking system and a team of Heavy Lift Cargo
handling professionals in order to handle the Heavy Lift Cargo.
Once discharging Heavy Lift cargo at one Sea Port is completed, the similar
procedures would apply to other Heavy Lift Cargoes scheduled to be discharged to
34

35. other sea ports depending on their size and nature. The Heavy Lift Cargo agents at
each sea port would make similar necessary advance preparations.
The routing of the Heavy Lift Cargo vessel is predetermined prior to the start of the
voyage. The routing schedule would be intimated to all the concerned shippers or
their forwarding agents who book the space for their Heavy Lift Cargo for their
particular Heavy Lift Cargo. The shipping line would plan each voyage minimum
three months in advance to the actual voyage and start confirming the space in the
Heavy Lift vessel. However, the vessel departure schedule from the load port also
can vary slightly due to several factors.
Once a vessel completes the stipulated voyage to one destination it would try to bring
back some type of return freight or some bulk cargo in order to make some profit
rather than the vessel returning empty.
35

36. Chapter 4, Heavy-Lift Cargo- Transportation
Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) as rule are transported during the night in the Middle East.
Special permission from the police department and local Government authorities are
obtained by the transporter on behalf of the owner or the owner of the Heavy Lift
Cargo prior to the actual movement. Police escort to the Heavy Lift Cargo movement
is a mandatory requirement in the Middle East circumstances.
The Heavy Lift Cargo(HLC), in case of indirect movement would be kept inside the
sea port storage area designated for Heavy Lift Cargo(HLC) storage on suitable
capacity stools. In case of direct movement as well as the indirect movement the
cargo will be taken on the self-propelled modular axle trailer or trailers and moved to
a safe Heavy Lift Storage area, properly compacted and suitable concreted to
prevent any kind of sinkage on the ground and related accidents.
a) Route Survey
A thorough and professional route survey would be carried out at the earlier stages of
planning the Heavy Lift Cargo movement. The route survey will be based on the
shortest possible distance from the sea port to the actual place where this Heavy Lift
Cargo needs to be. This route survey will study all the impediments, obstructions
enroute.
36

37. The bridges, tunnels, underpasses, roundabouts, turnings, deviation, road signal
lights, road markings, suitability of the road all will be studied thoroughly. Considering
the weight and dimension of the cargo once it is being loaded on to the (SPT) self-
propelled trailers with units integrally moved with power packs, the hight of the
bridges, signal lights, the road capacity over the underpasses, the general road with
near the turnings would be considered seriously in accordance with the weight and
size of the Heavy Lift Cargo once loaded on the ‘(SPT) self-propelled modular trailer
or trailers. The drive axles can be operated independently or assembled into any
combination. The units overcome the need for ballasted heavy duty prime movers,
which improves flexibility of use’.
The main features of a (SPT) self-propelled trailer are listed below as shown in the
website of Abnormal Load Engineering about the Self Propelled trailer (SPT) with
immense adjustability for flexible usage.
a)45 to 55 degree steering
b)Fully self powered for movement to any direction.
c)Multi-axle, high torque, drive units to maximize tractive effort.
d)2,3,4,5,6 or 8 axles driven using multi speed drive ration.
e)Multiple platform width options
f) Multiple power modules capable of being inter linked and readily replaceable
g)Remote control or manual control options
h)3 or 4 point hydraulic suspension capabilities
37

38. The route survey will also plan some temporary lay down area during the
transportation if the distance from the distance from the beginning to the offloading
area can not be covered within one night. The route survey will aim at skipping
maximum number of the above mentioned impediments as possible in order to make
a smoother Heavy Lift Cargo movement possible. Once a professionally done route
survey is being accepted by all parties being involved or concerned, the planning and
mobilization of the self-propelled modular axle trailer and the jacking and skidding
mechanism, all the technical expertise that may be required during the actual
movement would be mobilized in advance.
b) Load plan and method statement.
The Heavy Lift Cargo movement takes places during the night in favorable weather
conditions. During wind, rain, thunder and lightning Heavy Lift Cargo movement
should not to take place. It will be unsafe to move the Heavy Lift Cargo during the
unfavorable weather conditions.
A practical method statement would be required by the Transporter to the consignee.
Consignee would submit this to the Client. Method statement would be prepared in
accordance with the Client’s requirements. The Client would simultaneously appoint
an Engineering Consulting company to monitor and study the load plan and the
method statement of the contractor. In every project that is being awarded to the
38

39. companies, there would be an appointed consulting company who will be providing
technical expertise to the Contractor and would monitor the load plan if it is strictly in
accordance with the requirement of the Client.
The contractor is to provide a well tailored method statement to the consult and
Client for their approval of the loading and transportation plan. Also, any additional
changes affect thereby the load plan need to be intimated to the Client and
Consultants well in advance and both the parties permissions shall be obtained in
advance.
The safety requirement of the Client will be monitored by the Consulting engineers
who would study the situation and contractual requirements on behalf of the Client
and would recommend the Client for providing approval of the load plan method
statement. Based on the recommendations the contractor may ask it’s transporter to
change their original plan and method statement would be revised as per the
consultant’s or Client’s comments until obtaining both parties approval. However, the
contactor should choose a transporter who is really professional and understanding
the entire scope of the job well and thoroughly.
If the Heavy Lift Cargo moves directly from the storage location of the sea port to the
site through road the above mentions road related things shall be considered. If the
Heavy Lift Cargo is first loaded on a barge, then normally the Heavy Lift Cargo
placed on to the self-propelled trailer is being rolled on to the barge then rolled off to
39

40. a jetty from where the actual Heavy Lift Cargo movement takes places as the Heavy
Lift Cargo movement on the road. Rolling on to the barge is very delicate since a
team of professional barge operators shall be readily present the tide hight which
normally comes to the required level during the high tide in the afternoons and
midnights. If the expected tide height is not available, the entire crew would weight
until it becomes appropriate for the Heavy Lift Cargo to roll on the barge for
movement to the jetty from where the actual transportation is to take place.
The Heavy Lift Cargo transportation during the night is permitted in the Middle East
countries because of the less number of vehicles on the road. During the day time
the roads normally are full with small vehicles, cargo trailers and trucks of various
types including the loading, offloading, and construction equipments moving in fast
pace to complete the daily activities. Less number of the vehicles on the road, more
safe and convenient the Heavy Lift Cargo movement. That is the reason, Heavy Lift
Cargo (HLC) movement is permitted only during the night.
The police escort is a must and being provided during the night for the Heavy Lift
Cargo transportation due to several reasons and such type of permissions granted by
the Governments with careful consideration of various aspects. The Government
authorities will consider if the transporter would damage any public property or cause
any obstruction to the small no of private vehicle travelling the same route when the
actual Heavy Lift Cargo movement takes places. The safety west suitable for the
40

41. midnight transportation would be worn by all parties involved in the transportation of
Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) including the police personnel.
Usually the speed of the self-propelled modular trailer is about 7 to 8 kilometers per
hour if the cargo weight is about 300 tons within manageable dimensions. If the
Heavy Lift Cargo weight is less than 100 tons within the moderate dimensions, then
the trailer speed will increase up to 25 to 30 kilo meters and any site distance shorter
than 100 kilo meters would be covered within one night. If the distance to the site or
location where the cargo should reach is farther than the reachable, can not be
covered within one day, the Heavy Lift Cargo with the self propelled trailer will be
kept near some previously planned lay down area.
The following night, if the weather is favorable for transport, police personnel are
available for escort, the Heavy Lift Cargo movement will commence until it reaches to
the destination or site. The same technical experts and the designated team of
Heavy Lift Cargo handling professionals would accompany and would successfully
complete the entire movement of the Heavy Lift Cargo.
c) Self-propelled modular Transporters (SPMT)
Self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT) consist of multi-axled transporters
designed for the transportation of large and heavy cargoes. The 4 and 6 line
41

42. transporter units can be operated can be operated independently or assembled into
any combination.
Heavy Transporter frame trailers are used mainly used for the movement of heavy
power generating equipment such as Gas Turbines, Steam Turbines, Generators
and Transformers.
Heavy Lift Cranes (HLC)
There are many variety of heavy lift handling cranes used for the movement of Heavy
Lift Cargo (HLC). They are Moble crane, Crawler crane, floating crane and finally
jacking and skidding system being used for the final movement of Heavy Lift Cargo
(HLC) to the plinth on the foundation.
The self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) are multi-axled trailer or trailers. It will
have a large number wheels proportionately much higher than any normal trailers
used for general cargo transportation. Mammoet Transport, and Abnormal Load
Engineering (ALE) are the major players in this field of Heavy Lift Cargo movement.
Apart from them, there are many small players in this field, breaking the monopoly of
the major players by providing competitive Heavy Lift Cargo transportation rates and
flawless services.
42

43. d) Jacking and skidding system
‘Skid systems are designed for safe, precise horizontal movements, which provide a
means of moving plant and structures in confined or restricted environments. Skid
systems provide a unique solution for the movement of high point load or
concentrated loads. A combination of different skid-shoes creates a flexible system to
move complicated and heavy loads’. The typical skid systems used by Abnormal
Load Engineering – a leading Heavy-Lift Cargo Transporter with a dedicated team of
multi-disciplined team of professional engineers, ‘in which hydrolic skid-shoes with
stainless steel bottom move over P.T.F.E. blocks which are laid into steel tracks.
Professional jacking and skidding system efficiency is the landmark of any world
class, leading international company specialized in solving heavy lifting and transport
challenges at any onshore or offshore location. Companies with a sense of High
safety and quality standards would offer unparallel service to the jacking and skidding
system operations. Such placement cannot be obtained in accuracy while using any
type of other cranes available around in this part of the region or elsewhere.
Jacking and skidding system moves the Heavy Lift inch by inch to the plinth of the
foundation providing with the necessary tolerance. The jacking and skidding system
has to offer flawless operation in order to achieve the desired result of machinery or
equipment or bridges during installations. Depending on the nature of (HLC) Heavy-
Lift Cargo movement, different types of jacking and skidding system shall be used.
43

44. Highly experienced and professional companies offer tailor-made solutions for such
jacking and skidding operations.
44

45. Chapter 5 Heavy-Lift Cargo Health and Safety aspects
Secure handling can only be guaranteed through the expert knowledge and
dedication of the people who handle the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC). Every individual
working directly with a Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) or any organization that is responsible
and is part of the supply chain process in the movement of the cargo shall commit
themselves in the quality of the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) handling.
This commitment is reinforced through continuous training and education of the
Heavy Lift Cargo handling specialists stay abreast of advances being made in best
practices and apply this knowledge by sharpening their practical skills under real and
testing operational conditions. Any Heavy Lift Cargo knowledge acquired through
experience shall be shared and shall be used to train the novices. The instruction
manual presented by this transportation company has to provide all the necessary
information required for safe and careful handling of the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC).
The protective clothing and apparels required during the actual operation time has to
be informed in details as well all other practical safety precautions. This is a strict rule
to be observed by all participants during the entire process of operations during
loading, lashing and stowage, shipping and the related operations on board and at all
relevant locations.
45

46. However, the sound track record of any transporter would be a measuring rode for
the shipper or consignee in determining the capability of the transporter that shall be
considered in determining during the time of the decision making process of hiring
the services of a renowned transporter. However, every now and then a cross check
of the available and practicing facilities shall be reviewed in order to improve the
existing and practicing norms to better ones to obtain even more perfection. It is
always good to check the past history of their heavy lift cargo transportation projects
that a heavy lift transporter has performed in one particular region successfully.
Upon completion of every Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) movement, it is ideal to have an
evaluation meeting regarding the safe operation of the cargo. New ideas would
evolve eventually which can be put it into manuals and used for practiced among the
participating personnel and transporter. Such information and feedback shall prevent
the transporter from refraining from any future mishap otherwise can have or in the
worst case would stimulate the improvement in handling future Heavy Lifts (HL).
To ensure quality, the transporter and the crew involved in the operation should
monitor the trends, and procedures, until realizing fully the safest and cost effective
Heavy Lift Cargo becomes a routine task and it achieves zero degree errors. The
transporter shall be ready to adapt the best handling practices that evolves out of so
much of deliberate thinking and discussions among the operators and use such
knowledge for enhancing performance and technique.
46

47. Health and safety of the operational personnel and surrounding properties are of
paramount importance during the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) movement in the Middle
East circumstances. Any damage to the life or property would result serous damage
to the reputation of the contractor and the transporter. With the specific aim of a safe
and smoother Heavy Lift movement the contractor would be submitting their plan of
action as a ‘ Method Statement’ in the mode, plan and method in which the Heavy
Lift Movement (HLM) would be carried out would be presented to the Client for their
approval for carrying out the actual job.
In addition to prevention of damages or accidents to property and personnel, the
Client / Consultant would discourage any inkling of any possible way or method in
which there can be an accident or any possibility to affect the health and safety of the
operating personnel. The operating personnel’s safety and health consciousness
would also be high importance during the approval of such method statement. Any
deviations found during the actual movement of the (HLC) Heavy Lift Cargo would be
dealt with seriousness by the Middle Eastern Country Authorities.
Due to the high consciousness on Health and Safety (HSE) aspects, the power
transformers of Toshiba Corporation are transported without filling the oil in the main
tank. According to Toshiba Engineers, filling oil into the main tank prior to it reaches
the foundations is not a practical thing to do. Therefore, Toshiba arrange marine
transportation for such Transformer and reactor main tanks after filling automatic dry
nitrogen or dried air filling arrangement. During transport, each transformer shall be
47

48. equipped with devices maintaining a constant pressure in the equipment concerned
and facilitating tapping –up by suitable automatic facilities from reserve bottles.
On the other hand, according to the ‘International treaty of marine transportation of
International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code’, (IMDGC)’, dried cylinder belongs to
catagory A’ of part 3-Dangerous goods’ and can be shipped ‘ON DECK’ or ‘UNDER
DECK’. However, this dry air cylinder shall be placed at ‘ON DECK’ or dangerous
article area, in case the Captain of the ship decides in his responsibility since cylinder
is categorized into dangerous goods.
During the transportation the 500MVA transformer and the reactors tank is
pressurized dry air for keeping the positive pressure, therefore atmosphere air can
not invade to inside of Transformer, Reactor main tank. If the air pressure decreased
during the transportation, supplement of dry air is possible, because dry air cylinder
had transported with transformer tank by the same ship. This is the method used by
Toshiba Corporation, Japan whenever Toshiba transported Heavy Lift Transformers
and Reactors to the substation and power station projects of Middle East Countries.
Other Multi-National companies, like Mistubishi, ABB, Siemens competing in the
same industry and working for the same Client would follow the similar method of
transportation which has proved time and again as a safest method of transportation
for such Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC)
48

49. Other Major players in the Heavy Engineering sector like, Bechtel Corporation,
Hyundai Heavy Industries, Doosan Heavy Industries, Technip, Chiyoda Corporation
are following the similar safe methods when they transport the Gas Turbines, Steam
Turbines and the related heavy equipments to their respective construction sites.
‘A Heavy Lift –Ship (HLS) is designed and capable of loading and unloading heavy
and bulky items. The ship has booms of sufficient capacity to accommodate a single
lift of 100 tons’ (DOD) U.S. Department of Defense.
Several inventions took place in the field of Heavy Lift Cargo transportation during
last few decades around the world especially in U.S and U.K. ‘Semisubmersible
vessel for transporting and installing heavy deck sections offshore using quick drop
ballast system’ invented by Alparslan Kocaman and Trevor R.J. Mills secured the
U.S. patent on April 4, 1995. The summary of the invention is that ‘an apparatus for
transporting and installing a deck of an offshore platform into a substructure in a
marine environment. It consists of a semisubmersible vessel having two or more
submerged potoons that support a deck elevated above the waterline. The deck of a
semisubmersible vessel is configured with an opening therein sized to fit in partially
around the substructure. A skid-way assembly is secured to the deck of the
semisubmersible vessel for supporting the deck of the offshore platform across the
opening. An anchoring assembly moors and maintains the semisubmersible vessel in
a pre-selected position partially around the substructure so that the deck of an
offshore platform is located above and alignment with the substructure. A ballasting
49

50. assembly rapidly lowers the vessel thereby transferring the deck onto the
substructure. This ballasting assembly incorporates individual pressurized
components in the pontoons which are filled with water for ballast purposes. Control
means selectively control the flow of water into each of the pressurized
compartments’.
The invention of ‘floating crane’ was another landmark in the field of Heavy Lift Cargo
loading and discharging from the vessel.
50

51. Chapter 6 Heavy-Lift Cargo Lifter (Air Freight)
Until recently, the concept of super Heavy-Lift Cargo Airship was an idea, not a
reality. And as per the saying ‘necessity is the mother of inventions’. The prompt
availability of Heavy Lift Cargo to the required place and time has stimulated such
faster thinking of finding alternative means for the faster movement of Heavy Lift
Cargo (HLC) Cargolifter AG, a German company that plans to build airships capable
of carrying out enormous loads for the bulk airfreight market. The superiority of
importance lies in the ability of the Cargolifter in reaching the remote and
mountainous locations where the land Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) can not reach.
To the projects based in mountains tops where in the normal case no ship would go
and trailers moving with such crew on a hill top would be a Herculian task. Such
types of remote location deliveries could be undertake by Cargolifter. Even some of
the Heavy Cargo deliveries on the rig platform could be undertaken by the
Cargolifter.
The Cargolifter AG CL 160 super-heavy lift cargo airship was designed to transport
very heavy objects more economically, being able to deliver its payload directly to the
desired ‘drop off point’. The Cargolifter 160 is able to lift very heavy awkward loads,
and deliver them to difficult locations, such as mountainous or jungle terrain where
the traditional logistics would struggle.
51

52. The Cargolifter 160 derives its name from its designed payload capacity of 160
tonnes. Cargolifter AG have constructed a headquarters hanger capable of housing
their Cargolifter 160 fleet at a site located on the former military airfield of Brand,
60km south of Berlin.The Cargolifter 160 will be powered by eight turboshaft engines
from General Electric aircraft engines, which propel 6 m propellers.
For emergency services and relief operations these types of flights are used in order
to bring military tanks and the related hardwares to the war zones and remote
locations.
Heavy Lift Cargo Airlines are mostly used for transporting mostly fighter helicopters.
The relief operations in Solomon Islands are also headed by such Heavy Lift Cargo
Airlines. Several tones of tuna also lifted out of the Solomon island to the main lands
of Japan using the Heavy Lift Airlines of Australia.
According to Robert Luke ‘efficient supply chains are important with growing
geographical distance from production and consumption’. Due the impact of
globalization, multinational companies are procuring and producing special
equipments in to any convenient place where the raw materials and cheap labor are
abundantly available. Upon completing the processing or construction is over this
need to be moved or shipped to the desired location and the companies need to find
ways to carry out the movements in a cost effective methods without compromising
to international standards.
52

53. In the field of Heavy Lift Cargo airfreight there are a lot of limitations in terms of the
airlines’ capacity in carrying weight and it’s quantity. But the combined method of
multimodal transportation can be chosen to resolve the hurdles that arises enroute.
53

54. Chapter 7 Major Heavy Lift Cargo movement (HLC) in Middle East Countries
Moving longer, taller and heavier cargo across the land and sea constitute the major
portion of the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) movement in Middle East. The awareness of
the transporter (shipping line) about the know-how of the cargo, the attention the
cargo requires during the voyage from the transporter is very important. Special
cargoes call for a vessel that offers more flexibility. Minimizing, handling time, cost
and risk shall be the primary aims of the transporter. The below mentioned are the
few tips in this process. At the port of discharge, the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) can be
lifted from the barge or vessel using either a floating crane, or a mobile crane or a
sea port crane.
Below deck stowage
RoRo vessels can accommodate Heavy Lift Cargo as tall as 5.5 meters high and 15
meters long below it’s deck. The measurement takes into consideration of a
clearance of 20 cms between the top of the cargo and the deck above which is
minimum required for the safe operaions. The shipping line secures the Heavy Lift
Cargo below the deck with lashing chains, with the trailer or without the trailers
depending on the mode of operations.
On deck stowage
54

55. Almost any Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) that exceeds the maximum height of 6 meters,
for stowage below deck can be transferred to upper deck. Loading directly out of and
discharging directly into the water is possible with the use of a suitable crane.
Heavy Lift Cargo handling
The size and weight of the machinery being shipped determine the type of equipment
used to load, stow and discharge the cargo. Low-bed trailers of different capacity,
roller trailers, heavy lift trailers, jack up trailers are being used depending on the
nature and type of the cargo. Towing or trailering cargo onboard eliminates the risk of
potential damage that is ever present during lift- on/ lift-off operations. However,
transformers and reactors normally shipped with a strongly fitted hook which is very
solid and lift-on and lift-off is being done using the hooking options.
Machine tools include any machinery used for cutting, shaping or forming of metal.
These include sophisticated production units for the automotive and aircraft
manufacturing industries, some of which are fitted with sophisticated computer units.
Any machine tools that come in cases, wooden crates or steel crates are generally
carried on roll-trailers or bolsters. Cargo is securely lashed to the roll-trailers and
bolsters which in turn are secured to the deck of the vessel. Due consideration and
care are given to secure the cargo to avoid mechanical stress which can cause
damage to the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC).
55

56. Large volumes of cargo accessories are impossible to be transported in the fitted
stage. They are usually shipped in the bulk stage in different odd dimensional pallets
and collies. For example the radiators of a heavy transformer would be difficult to
transport in a fitted stage. It would be abnormal to think such mode where as one can
think of disassembling the accessories and moving it as bulk cargo would be a
practical solution.
During the past two decades innumerable construction had been taken place in most
of the Middle Eastern Countries. The importation of Heavy equipments and
machineries are vital for such constructions like oilfield installations, building of power
stations, substations, power cable laying projects, desalination projects, long bridges,
high rise buildings and so on. The trend is always upward even to-day due to the
growth in oil revenue and the insatiable quench of the Middle Eastern Countries for
high excellence and growth in the industrial areas in line with the international
standards. The power sector is almost monopolized in these countries by major multi
national players. They even compete to win the prestigious projects in these areas.
The availability of cheap labor and technicians also help these major players to
concentrate these countries more and more.
In comparison with America and Europe the number of Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC)
movement that took place in Middle Eastern countries are relatively less in number.
56

57. Yet, there are a number of Heavy Lift Cargo movements that took place I the Middle
Eastern Countries that are note worthy.
Major Heavy Lift Cargo Movements took place in Middle Eastern Countries.
Major Heavy Lift Cargo movements carried out by International and regional Heavy
Lift Cargo Operators for major projects are shown in the table below. Most of the
Heavy Lift Cargo Movement took place in UAE, Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia & Oman
during last 5 decades are listed in it. Indeed they are the major players in this sector.
The major Heavy lift Cargo transporters in the Middle East countries with most
advanced and sophisticated equipments and technology are the below listed 4 major
transporters with strong regional presence. Making a detailed search in every region
would provide a few more small players in this field relatively on a lesser cost.
1) ALE- Abnormal Load Engineering, present in almost all Middle East countries
2) Mammoet Transport B.V, present in almost all Middle East countries
3) Al Jabber, present in UAE, Qatar and Oman
4) Al Majdouie based in Saudi Arabia
5) Al Moherbie Transport- based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
57

58. PROJECT
NAME
CITY /
COUNTRY
HEAVY LIFT
DESCRIPTION
WEIGHT IN
TONS
TRANSPORTER
Mussafah
SPMT
Mussafah,
UAE
Load-out of a tugboat
using Self Propelled
Modular Trailers
1500 ton Mammoet
Balal Project Khoramshar
, Iran
Load out of a 800mT
jacket in Khoramshar
800mT Mammoet
Belema Abu Dhabi,
UAE
Load-out of 3
modules upto 800 ton
800 ton Mammoet
Murphy
Medusa
Project
UAE Strand Jack Load Out
of 12,000mT Spar
Buoy
12,000mT Mammoet
Terra Nova
Project
Mussafah,
UAE
Load-out of an 1100
ton turret using Self
Propelled Modular
Trailers
1100 ton Mammoet
Al Jubail Al Jubail,
Saudi
Arabia
Super heavy lift
subcontract no. DLM-
PKO-M003 for
Petrokemya Oelfins
III project at Al-Jubail
in Saudi Arabia
Mammoet
Al Rayyan Oil
Development
Ras Laffan,
Qatar
Lifting and removal of
ton jack-up legs 94m
long / 300 using a
CC4800 twin ring
crane 1600 ton
1600 ton Mammoet
Al Taweelah
'A' Ext.
Project
UAE 4 Heavy lifts of 55-
610 ton each
55-610
ton
Mammoet
Al Taweelah
A2
UAE 18 x modules 200 ton
each
200 ton Mammoet
Al Zour
Project
Kuwait Transportation and
placing of 4
Evaporator blocks
(2700 ton)
2700 ton Mammoet
Aromatics 3 Iran Heavy equipment
erection contract
using a 2000 ton
Platform ringer crane.
Heaviest tower 1500
ton
1500 ton Mammoet
Aromatics 3 Bandar
Imam
Khomeiny,
Iran Iran
Placing 8 tanks at the
third Aromatics plant
in Iran. The weights
of the tanks range
250 ton Mammoet
58

59. from 210 to 250 ton
Aromatics 4 Iran Heavy Equipment
Transportation and
Erection contract
using a 200 ton
Platform ringer crane
and Heaviest towers
980 ton and 112m
long
980 ton Mammoet
Conoco
Refinery
Syria Transportation of 2
vessel of 48m / 200
ton over a distance of
500km
200 ton Mammoet
Gas Train 3
Project
Saudi
Arabia,
Qatar
Heavy lift operations
for the Equate
Ethelene Project in
Kuwait, the Ras
Tanura Project in
Saudi Arabia and the
Qatar Gas Train 3
Project with Demag
CC4800 and Twin
Ring System
Mammoet
JUEG Project Saudi
Arabia
Heavy Equipment
Transportation and
Erection contract
using a 3600 ton
MSG50 ringer crane
and Heaviest towers
1180 ton and 86 m
long and two reactors
of 860 ton
860 ton Mammoet
Kuwait New
Oil Pier
KUNOP Loading,
transportation and
roro operations of
120 modules up to
300 ton
300 ton Mammoet
Masilla
Expansion
project
Masilla,
Yemen
Between the many
mountains in this
area, Mammoet was
called in to transport
heavy items up to
100 ton. A special
challenge was to
cope with slopes that
sometimes exceeded
100 ton. Mammoet
59

60. 17%
NGL-4
Project
Mesaieed,
Qatar
Transportation and
double handling of
over 100 heavy lifts
up to 240 ton
240 ton Mammoet
NODCO
Refinery
Expansion
Mesaieed,
Qatar
Erection works of 6 x
CCR Modules of 190
ton each
190 ton Mammoet
NODCO
Refinery
Expansion
Mesaieed,
Qatar
Transporting 7 heavy
lifts up to 820 ton
from factory in Spain
till up to erected onto
foundation in Qatar
820 ton Mammoet
Petrokemy
Project
Saudi
Arabia
Transportation of 4
modules weighing
2500 ton each
2500 ton Mammoet
Petrokemya
Project
Jubail,
Saudi
Arabia
Transportation of 4
nos furnaces, each
weighing approx.
2.500 ton, from
harbor to site
Petrokemya, Jubail
Saudi Arabia
2.500 ton Mammoet
QAFAC
Methanol /
MTBE
Qatar Heavy Lifts Upto 516
ton
516 ton Mammoet
QVC Project Mesaieed,
Qatar
Transporting of all
heavy cargo up to
240 ton
240 ton Mammoet
Ras Laffan
Project
Ras Laffan,
Qatar
Transportation, Lifting
and installing of a
total of 60,000 ton of
equipment
Mammoet
South Pars 1
Gas
Separation
plant
Assaluyeh,
Iran
The Contract calls for
receiving 12 heavy
loads up to 160 ton in
the UAE, the
transport to a storage
area, the reloading of
the equipment onto
barges and all
necessary roro
operations. The
equipment, from
Korea Germany and
Italy arrive in Port
160 ton Mammoet
60

61. Rashid and the Jebel
Ali Port in Dubai
South Pars 1
Gas
Separation
plant
Assaluyeh,
Iran
Erection work and
supervision of all
heavy lifts up to 180
ton using 450 ton and
250 ton cranes
450 ton Mammoet
South Pars 2-
3 Gas
separation
plant
Assaluyeh,
Iran
160 heavy lifts upto
300 ton receiving in
UAE, transport to
storage area,
reloading, roro
operations UAE,
barging, roro
operations Iran,
transport under crane
hook, erection work
using crawler cranes
300 ton Mammoet
Sulphur
Recovery
Expansion
Project
QLGC-SRX
Ras Laffan,
Qatar
Transportation and
placing of a boiler
module 180 ton /
combustion chamber
135 ton
180 ton Mammoet
Airport
substation
Doha, Qatar Transformers 100 ton 100 ton Mammoet
Al Kalba
Power
plant
UAE Transportation and
offloading off frame 6
gas turbines,
generators and
transformers up to
100mT, including all
general and
oversized cargo
100 ton Mammoet
Al Wasit III
Power Plant
Sharjah,
UAE
Transportation and
offloading off frame 9
gas turbines,
generators and
transformers up to
220 ton , including all
general and
oversized cargo
220 ton Mammoet
61

62. Barqa Power
Project
Oman Transportation and
installation of Gas
turbines and
generators of max.
220mT using a mega
lift system
220 ton Mammoet
Dubai Falcon
Project
Dubai, UAE 5 x 160 ton
transformers
160 ton Mammoet
Dubal
Expansion
Project
Dubai, UAE 9 Pcs.
Generators101-191
ton
191 ton Mammoet
Jebel Ali "h"
Power
Station
Jebel Ali,
UAE
6 Nos. turbine 202
ton, 6 Nos. generator
189 ton
202 ton Mammoet
Jebel Ali 'G'
Station
Jebel Ali,
UAE
1 x 200 ton Gas
Turbine, 1 x 227 ton
Generator
227 ton Mammoet
Manah Power
Station
Oman 6 heavy lifts upto 100
ton
100 ton Mammoet
Medinat
Zayed to Sir
Banivas
Island
UAE 3 x 85 ton diesel
engines
85 ton Mammoet
Merkadh
Substation
Dubai, UAE Transport and placing
of 280 ton
transformers
280 ton Mammoet
MEW North.
Emirates
Power
Station
UAE 10 x 53 ton
transformers
53 ton Mammoet
Qatar
Transmission
Project
Phase IV
Qatar 6 x 120 ton
transformers plus up
to 50 ton
120 ton Mammoet
Qidfa & Ras Al Power plant 210 ton Mammoet
62

63. Nakheel
Power
Station
Khaimah,
UAE
equipment 210 ton
Qidfa Power
Project
UAE Transportation and
installation of gas
turbines and
generators of max.
220 ton using a mega
lift system
220 ton Mammoet
QVC Project Mesaieed,
Qatar
Transportation and
placing of 4 turbines
100 ton
100 ton Mammoet
Ras Laffan
IWPP
Ras Laffan,
Qatar
Barging,
transportation and
installation of 12
desalination units of
750 ton from UAE to
1600 ton Ras Laffan,
Qatar
1600 ton Mammoet
Rusail Power
Station
Oman Turbines 230 ton 230 ton Mammoet
Power pant
Oman
Loading and inland
transportation of 3
No. 2,000 ton
Evaporator Modules
on Self Propelled
Modular
Transporters.
2000 ton ALE
Power Plant Oman Offloading from ro-ro
vessel, local
transportation and
offloading onto
foundation of 5 No.
3,600 ton Evaporator
modules
3,600 ton ALE
Offshore UAE
The Mooring Head
Topside weighed
1,050 tons and the
Jacket weighed 1,000
1,050 ton ALE
63

64. tons. ALE were
responsible for the
complete turnkey
operation on this
project.
Petrochmical Saudi
Arabia The Fractionator
Tower was 100
metres long and
weighed 1,420
tonnes. The inland
transportation of the
Fractionator Tower
was carried out
utilising ALE's Self
Propelled Modular
Transporters and
bolster system in the
Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
1,420 ton ALE
Power
Generation /
speciality
lifting
UAE
The project included
marine and land
transportation
together with the
installation of five
Gas Turbines, five
280 ton Generators,
two 300 tonne Steam
Turbine Generators,
seven 180 ton
Transformers and two
290 ton
Transformers.
290 ton ALE
Power
Generation /
Speciality
lifting.
UAE
The installation of a
310 ton Gas Turbine
using ALE's 800 ton 4
point hydraulic gantry
system in the United
Arab Emirates.
800 ton ALE
Infrastructure/
Bridges
UAE
The bridge structure
was 108 metres in
length and weighed,
2,560 ton ALE
64

65. 2,560 ton. All aspects
of the operation
including barge
ballasting, mooring,
sea fastening design
and the towing
operation were the
responsibility of ALE
in this turnkey project.
Infrastructure
/Bridges
UAE-
Bahrain The barge was towed
from UAE to the Mina
Salman Causeway in
Bahrain.
800 ton ALE
Desalination
Plant
UAE-
Sharjah
Transport 1,700 ton
MED Unit from Ex-
works at Belleli’s
workshop at
Hamriyah Free Zone
up to delivered,
installed and aligned
onto its foundations
at Layyesh
Desalination plant
near Port Khalid,
Sharjah, UAE.
1700 ton Al Jaber
Offshore UAE-Dubai 3 offshore modules of
each 530 tons along
side the FPSO”
Knock Adoon” at the
Dubai Dry docks.
530 tons
each
Al Jaber
Airport
Substation
UAE-Abu
Dhabi
1x 85 ton
Transformer
transportation up to
placing on the
foundations
85 ton Al Jaber
NPCC Yard UAE-Abu
Dhabi
1 x 140 ton Gas
Turbine Generator
transporation and
placing on the
foundations
140 ton Al Jaber
Lulu
Substation
UAE-Abu
Dhabi
1x 85 ton
Transformer
transportation up to
placing on the
85 ton Al Jaber
65

66. foundations
Shahama
Store
UAE-Abu
Dhabi
1x 90 ton
Transformer
transportation up to
placing on the
foundations
90 ton Al Jaber
Delma Island UAE-Delma
Island
1x65 ton Diesel Unit
transportation and
placing on the
foudations
65 ton Al Jaber
Qalhat LNG
Project
Sur-Oman 2 x 140 tons Bush
Generators,
2x 60 ton Pauwels
transformers
2x120 tons Nuovo
Pignone turbines
2x 40 ton Nuovo
Pignone Aux.skids,
all loading,
transportation placing
on the foundations
140 tons Al Jaber
Kalba Power
stations
UAE-Kalba 3x80-120ton
Evaporator Blocks
120 tons Al Jaber
SEWA stores UAE-
Sharjah
5 x85 ton
transformers, jacking
up, transport, barging
and jacking down
85 tons Al Jaber
QAFCO-4
Project
Qatar-Al
Maither
1x170 ton
Evaporator, loading
Transporation from
Messaieed Port to
site and placing on
the foundations.
170 tons Al Jaber
Al Maither
Substation
Qatar-Al
Maither
2 x139 tons
transformers, loading,
transportation from
Doha port and
placing on the
foundations
139 tons Al Jaber
Al Duheil
substation
Qatar-Al
Duheil
1 x139 tons
transformers, loading,
transportation from
Doha port and
placing on the
foundations
139 ton Al Jaber
Airport UAE-Dubai 4 x75 tons 75 tons Al Jaber
66

67. Substation transformers, loading,
transportation from
Doha port and
placing on the
foundations
Al Khan
substation
UAE-Al
Khan
3 x 90 tons
transformers
transportation from
Jebel ali port to Al
Khan site and placing
on the foundations
90 tons Al Jaber
Air Port
Substation
QATAR-Abu
Hamour
2 X 150 tons
transformers loading
from Doha port and
placing on the
foundations at site
150 tons Al Jaber
Al Duheil
substation
Qatar-Al
Duheil
1 x 139 ton
transformers, loading
from Abu Dhabi to
site and placing on
the foundations
139 ton Al Jaber
Doha Central
substation
Qatar-Doha 1 x 150 ton
transformer-loading
and transporation and
placing on the
foundations
150 ton Al Jaber
Abu Hamour
north sub-
station
Qatar-Abu
Hamour
2 x 110 tons
transformer-loading,
transportation and
placing on the
foundations
110 tons Al Jaber
ADWEA
Projects
UAE-Abu
Dhabi
2 x 275 ton
transformers
6 x 140 tons
transformers
2x 190 ton
transformers
8 x 76 ton
transformers, trun key
transportation to site
and placing on the
foudations
275 tons Al Jaber
E48 project UAE-Abu
Dhabi
3 x 110 ton used
transformers were
transported from city
limit to ADWEA
110 tons Al Moherbie
transport, Abu
Dhabi.
67

68. stores in Baniyas,
Abu Dhabi
In addition to the above transporters, there are many small scale transporters
regionally present who undertake relatively lesser load and lift on lift off basis.
Chapter 8 Recommendations for the future
Weatherproofing the supply chain is vital. AMR Research, a lading industry analyst
and research firm might refer to this as “sensing, shaping, and responding” to the
situation or the likelihood. Manhattan Associates, the leading supply chain solutions
provider offers several tips for logistics efficiency to help ensure that the right
supplies are in the right place at the right time. The same theories can be adapted as
a basis for Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) transportation as well. Added additional
preparations as stated in the earlier chapters would support the basic movement.
The real-time information about the movement of Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) shall be
transparent among all parties in the supply chain. Information transparency is critical
to providing visibility into the movement of product and understanding the impact of
operations.
Implement intelligence and responsiveness tools to anticipate and quickly react to
changing demand. The Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) operators need to achieve true sense
of responsiveness in order to sense, react to and shape the customer demand. It is
68

69. not simply shipping and transporting the heavy lift but shipping and transporting it
safely and in accordance with the regional and international standards.
Responsiveness tools provide companies with the ability to anticipate to them in
emergency situations.
Major recommendations:
Seek assistance from the Industrial experts prior to jumping into solving problems
-During the all aspects of Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC) movement planning and movement
implementation- seek assistance from the professionals and experts.
Project planning – Always provide adequate importance and time to project planning
and review of the total project logistics requirements for the Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC)
movement.
Transportation analysis- determining the best transportation scenario for our type of
Heavy Lift Cargo, Forecast the practical needs and improvise the professionalism
and technical know how in compatible with the circumstances.
Project logistics plan - developing a logistics plan to meet the safest Heavy Lift Cargo
delivery goals.
Optimization - design and implement optimal logistics solutions specific to project
Heavy Lift Cargo Transportation goals and costs. Execute the logistics plan, with
69

70. consistent client updates and optimizing for any changes to meet client demands and
scheduling.
Active open dialog between engineering, project management, procurement, and
logistics is a key factor for overall project success. The early involvement oflogistics
concerns can significantly effect optimization for transportation and logistics costs. By
implementing a comprehensive logistics plan the overall project efficiencies are
greatly enhanced, and traditional logistics’ impediments are minimized.
Foresight - driven, smart, sensory, adaptive, reproductive and responsive type of
Heavy Lift Cargo transportation planning would be ideal. The Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC)
transportation planning has to be responsive towards the growing technology. Then
most modern inventions in the field of transportation shall be researched and
adapted in for the present and future operations.
Using these transporters’ names in the internet search engine would take one to
these Heavy Lift Cargo transporters’ respective sites and office locations.
Establishing contact and utilizing their expertise as per the requirements of the
Clients would be at their discretion, depending on the weight, cost, experience and
cost and effectiveness of their ability in the field of Heavy Lift Cargo (HLC)
transportation.
70

71. References
For general references during this composition, the author has visited websites of:
ALE- Abnormal Load engineering, (www.ale.com)
Mammoet website, (www.mammoet.com)
Al Jaber website, (www.aje.com)
World Cargo News published by Jeff Ashcroft
American Defense website
Fatchgroup-Switzerland website
www.Heavyliftcargo.com
www.Rigzone.com
www.Oceantrader.com
www.Almajdouie.com
www.Msc.navy.ml.com
www.Freepatentsonline.com
www.Patentstorm.us.COM
www.eyefortransport.com
The logistics articles published in the World Cargo News.com
Logistics World News, published on 10th
-April-2007
71

72. World Cargo News published by Jeff Ashcroft in various edditions
Also, referred the Middle East Economic Survey, 12th
-June-2004, by Ali Mezra.
Beluga GmbH –German Heavy Lift operator’s website
www.apparelsearch.com
ABREVATIONS
HLC- Heavy Lift Cargo
HLS-Heavy Lift Ship
SPT - Self-propelled trailers with integrally mounted power packs.
SPMT - Self-propelled modular transporters
OPEC- Oil Producing and Exporting Countries
MSC- Mediterranean Shipping Company
ICC-International Chamber of Commerce, headquartered in Paris.
LIFO- Last in first out
MPC- Multi Purpose Carrier
DWT- Deadweight
EDD-Estimated Delivery Date
ETA-Estimated Time for Arrival
ETD-Estimated Time for Departure
SWL-Safe Working Load
72

73. HEAVY LIFT CARGO GLOSSARY
The below listed heavy lift cargo glossary are arranged for the words that are
used in this theses and the one that comes generally in the Heavy Lift Cargo
mode of transportation. During the perusal of the theses what ever terms the
author thinks will come up in the readers mind are tried to be expanded
hereunder.
A
‘Act of God’- An unexpected reaction of the nature that is beyond the control of
man and no man could be held responsible for that.
Amidships
At or in the middle of a vessel
B
Ballast
Materials, solely carried to improve the trim and the stability of the vessel. In
vessels usually water is carried as ballast in tanks, specially designed for that
purpose. Usually this function performed by the crew at the sea ports and during
voyages
Break Bulk Cargo
General cargo conventionally stowed as opposed to unitized, containerized and
Roll On-Roll Off cargo.
Synonym: Conventional Cargo.
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74. Bunker
(Tank) spaces on board a vessel to store fuel. Once a voyage is completed, the
vessel at Sea Port the bunkering is being performed to refill the tank with enough
quantity of fuel to complete the voyage until the next Sea Port where the same
function can be performed.
C
Call
Each visit of a vessel to a sea port is said as call
Cargo Handling
All procedures and preparation necessary to enable the physical handling of
goods from the vessel or sea port and all parties associated with this handling
function
Carriage
The process of transporting (conveying) cargo, from one point to another as per
the contract of carriage between the shipper and carrier’s agent
Carriage and Insurance Paid To (...named place of destination)
As per Incoterm 2000, based on which the international trade takes places
allover the world-"Carriage and insurance paid to..." means that the seller has
the same obligations as under CPT but with the addition that the seller has to
procure cargo insurance against the buyer's risk of loss of or damage to the
goods during the carriage. The seller contracts for insurance and pays the
insurance premium. Incoterm-2000 is being formulated by ICC-International
Chamber of Commerce, headquartered in Paris.
The buyer should note that under the CIP term the seller is only required to
obtain insurance on minimum coverage. The CIP term requires the seller to clear
the goods for export. This term may be used for any mode of transport including
multimodal transport.
"Carrier" means any person who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to
perform or to procure the performance of' carriage, by rail, road, sea, air, inland
waterway or by a combination of such modes.
If subsequent carriers are used for the carriage to the agreed destination, the risk
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