Video – ALE on 3,400km Transport at Sub Zero Temperature

ALE performed the furthest and longest land transportation ever completed in Kazakhstan, deploying its specialist transport services to complete the complex 3,400km transportation of five Out of Gauge (OOG) items, each measuring up to 42m long.

The capabilities of ALE’s heavylifting and haulage equipment and their ability to draw on the support of global resources enabled ALE to transport the items using the most cost-effective method, despite the challenging terrain of the vast and complex route.

Extensive preparations began six months in advance of the abnormal load transportation, which would move the OOG items from Bautino port to a steel plant in Temirtau. ALE liaised with various local authorities to plan the most efficient route. As well as the need to survey the route and complete the engineering calculations necessary to negotiate overhead obstacles and large structures like roundabouts, over 100 bridges required inspection. The super heavy transport included items weighing up to 150t and a few bridges were found to be unsuitable for use. Where possible, bridges were reinforced but some needed to be avoided completely and ALE ensured the most cost-effective methods were utilised, building temporary side roads to bypass structures.

ALE’s scope began at the port, where they used a new 750t capacity crawler crane alongside two others to unload the items from several vessels onto waiting trailers. Drawing on their extensive equipment fleet, up to 26 axle lines of SPT were used to transport each OOG item and ALE was able to reduce costs by performing the transportation in a single convoy.

The in-depth planning ensured the route could be negotiated in the most effective way possible. ALE’s specialist heavy haulage transport equipment enabled them to overcome the demanding roads on the route, which included gradients of up to 14%. The vastness of the route meant it covered both rural and urban areas so to minimise disruption ALE planned the urban sections of the journey to take place overnight.

ALE’s experience of long-term abnormal load transportation projects in a variety of climates enabled them to suitably prepare for the severe weather during the operation. Temperatures dropped to -30°, creating icy road conditions. Safety always remained at the core of the project, so conditions were monitored and the transportation was slowed down if required. To overcome the heavy snowfall and ice, ALE brought in specialist vehicles to clear the snow and applied substances to deice the roads.

This huge and challenging transportation of OOG items was completed over 75 days. The expertise of ALE’s team was proven in the detailed planning and preparations for the move, as well as in the execution, as they continued to battle sub-zero temperatures to complete the record-breaking heavy haulage transportation.

Video

Source ALE