Connect with us

Road Transport

Goldhofer carries gas turbines with heavy modules for Mammoet

Published

on

Goldhofer carries gas turbines with heavy modules for Mammoet. Image: Goldhofer
Goldhofer carries gas turbines with heavy modules for Mammoet. Image: Goldhofer
Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

 

Hilly terrain, tight curves, narrow roads, and bridges with limited load-bearing capacity – the three 2,200 km journeys with gas turbines weighing up to 517 t from the Kazakh port of Bautino to the Sirdarya CCGT plant in Shirin, Uzbekistan were a special challenge for the heavy-haul specialist Mammoet. In view of the very varied topography, the route was divided into three sections, each of them requiring a specially tailored solution to get the cargo to its destination quickly and safely. Mammoet Kazakhstan found the ideal solution in its versatile, robust and reliable THP/SL heavy-duty modules from Goldhofer. In combination with two Goldhofer »ADDRIVE« modules, plus »ADDRONIC« for the synchronization, more than 68 axle lines were in use at peak times.

Rapid progress on the first part of the route

For the first 500 km section, mainly on good roads, a THP/SL 19-axle side-by-side combination was chosen to transport the gas turbines. Up to five prime movers (three in the front and two at the back) were used to handle the many steep gradients. MAN 41.680 heavy-duty trucks with V8 engines developing 680 hp ensured that sufficient traction and pushing power were available at all times.

Optimum weight distribution as a key to success

With its steep curves, narrow unsurfaced roads, and bridges with limited load bearing capacity, the second section through Uzbekistan posed further challenges for the Mammoet team. In order to be able to negotiate the curves and also achieve optimum weight distribution on the bridges, the up to 15 m long and 6.3 m wide gas turbines weighing approx. 517 t each were transloaded onto Mammoet’s high girder frame AL600, then mounted front and rear on a 20-axle THP/SL Split (1+1/2) combination with »ADDRIVE«. The Mammoet specialists used Goldhofer’s »ADDRONIC« to synchronize the »ADDRIVE« modules. This enabled the two »ADDRIVE« units to be fully integrated in the combination for additional traction and pushing power on steep inclines. The full power was available at a click of a single button to bring the convoy to top speeds of up to 18 km/h.

The heavy-duty self-propelled modules »ADDRIVE« can support speeds of up to 25 km/h. Such a combination ensured both enough tractive power to carry the ultra-heavy loads up the hills and the braking power needed for safe travel on the downhill sections. At higher speeds, the »ADDRIVE« modules switches off automatically and then switches back on again when the speed fell below 25 km/h.

The main obstacle for the 100 m long and 900 t heavy convoy on this section of the route was the many bridges whose load-bearing capacity was far too low for such a combination. The 60 axle lines of the THP/SL heavy-duty modules alone were insufficient to meet the maximum axle load requirements. In order to observe the limits on the individual bridges, the heavy-haul experts at Mammoet employed a strategy that they had already used many times before: They positioned an 8-axle Goldhofer modular vehicle, known as a belly trailer, directly under the high girder bridge to let it take a share of the heavy load directly. “The 8 axles under the high girder bridge had to be steered separately front and rear. Continuous monitoring and adjustment of suspension on the belly trailer enabled us to pass over each of the bridges safely and reliably at walking pace,” says Marek Lysko, Operations Manager at Mammoet Kazakhstan.

Self-propelled arrival at the power plant

On the last section of the journey, Mammoet loaded the turbines on a heavy-duty self-propelled combination, which covered the last kilometers to the power plant.

As with numerous previous projects, Mammoet’s experts were again convinced by the high quality and versatility of Goldhofer’s vehicle solutions: “We were able to plan and implement the whole operation with such precision because Goldhofer’s heavy-duty modules can be combined with extreme flexibility and configured to meet very specific requirements. Continuous support from Goldhofer project and service departments helped us to plan and execute the project with the highest level of engineering, safety and performance.” says Marek Lysko.

“This project reinforced our reputation as a trusted heavy-transport logistics partner to Central Asian market. Concentrated power of will of the team, skills of engineers, reliability of personnel made sketches and drawings come to reality”, says Ali Yoldashov, Mammoet’s Regional Manager – Caspian.

Sirdarya power plant

ACWA Power’s 1.5 GW Sirdarya power plant near the city of Shirin, Uzbekistan, is designed to improve power generation efficiency and capacity in Uzbekistan while boosting economic growth and reducing the environmental impact. The combined cycle power plant has two 750 MW power generation units with an efficiency of more than 60 percent and is thus able to make a major contribution to Uzbekistan’s energy needs while delivering annual savings of up to 2.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Logistics & Supply Chain

HHLA to introduce passify, a digital solution to replace trucker card

Published

on

HHLA to introduce passify, a digital solution to replace trucker card. Image: HHLA
HHLA to introduce passify, a digital solution to replace trucker card. Image: HHLA
Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

 

This month, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG will begin testing a digital solution, passify, which allows truckers to access the Hamburg container terminals in a safer and more efficient way. The passify app will replace the current truck handling process involving the trucker card. The product was developed by HHLA Next, the innovation unit of HHLA.

HHLA Executive Board member Jens Hansen: “With passify, we are considerably increasing security and efficiency at our facilities in Hamburg. We are working on digitalising terminal handling to such an extent that our facilities become the standard for other terminals in terms of digitalisation. HHLA is using such projects to underpin its claim to being a driver of innovation in logistics.”

The passify app is initially revolutionising truck handling at HHLA’s terminals in Hamburg by both increasing the security of truck access and simplifying the handling process for truck drivers. In future, more than 6,000 truck drivers who transport containers to and from HHLA’s terminals in Hamburg every day will have access to all the necessary information directly on their smartphones via passify. The smartphone app is fully integrated into terminal processes and digitalises the processes at the gates. The system accompanies truck drivers along the entire handling process and thereby simplifies it. Furthermore, passify offers drivers a mobile self-service terminal in one app.

Since all drivers can clearly identify themselves using passify, access to the terminals also becomes safer. At the same time, entry processes at the gates are simplified since access is only granted to authorised truck drivers. passify upholds security and data protection standards and meets all requirements of the ISPS Code, which applies around the world.

HHLA will begin to replace the conventional plastic trucker cards with passify at its Hamburg sites this year. Testing of the smartphone app will begin in July and will be gradually expanded to include all HHLA sites in Hamburg.

All haulage companies will then begin to receive access to passify and will be actively supported while switching from the trucker card to the app. They will also receive information about how drivers can register and verify their identities to use the app on their smartphones. Following its successful introduction at the HHLA terminals in Hamburg, additional terminal operators will be able to use the practical digital tool at their gates. We intend to make passify the standard for other stakeholders at the port as well.

Continue Reading

Logistics & Supply Chain

CEVA Logistics launched a new international road transport route

Published

on

CEVA Logistics launched a new international road transport route. Image: CEVA Logistics
CEVA Logistics launched a new international road transport route. Image: CEVA Logistics
Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

 

CEVA Logistics recently launched a new international road transport route along the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor, opening new trade routes in China and central Asia. The opening of the new route is expected to boost trade growth among the three countries and deliver benefits across the region.

CEVA Logistics held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of the new route as the shipment convoy of six trucks departed from western China’s inland city of Kashgar, crossing into Kyrgyzstan. Loaded with industrial components, auto parts and consumer goods, the first TIR trucks on the new route successfully arrived in Uzbekistan’s second-largest city, Samarkand, after approximately 1,100 kilometers.

Joanna Zhu, Managing Director of Greater China, CEVA Logistics, said: “With the successful pilot, CEVA is expecting more regular TIR operations on this new route with around 100 trucks every month. CEVA will continue to optimize ground and rail product portfolios to open direct routes while strengthening intermodal capabilities. We will develop more trade lanes from China to the west and enhance trade resilience along the corridor.”

Southern Corridor facilitates regional trade

Central Asia is the main passage along the Han-Tang Silk Road. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Ground Transportation Corridor is concrete example of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. The opening of a southern passage has the capacity to change the entire transportation pattern of Western China. The southern corridor is expected to broaden the transportation range of the Eurasian Continental Bridge. As more logistics parks settle in Kashgar, export companies shipping goods such as auto parts, finished vehicles, and consumer and eCommerce goods will greatly benefit from the new route. As the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan route becomes more established, CEVA anticipates making Kashgar a ground consolidation center for Western China.

In addition to the TIR solution, CEVA continues to explore and strengthen its multimodal solutions and open new direct routes as infrastructure in the region develops. Current plans call for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway to be completed in 2025 and will make it the shortest freight route from China to the Middle East and Europe. The railway is expected to span more than 500 kilometers—more than 200 in China, 250 in Kyrgyzstan and the final 50 kilometers in Uzbekistan.

Yan Zhou, Chief Representative of East and Southeast Asia, IRU, said: “IRU and CEVA Logistics have established fruitful cooperation since TIR was implemented in China in 2018. From the historic first China-Europe round-trip TIR pilots to the recent new TIR route along the strategically important China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor, IRU has been partnering with members to develop innovative trucking services under TIR. Together with our members and partners, IRU will continue to promote faster, safer and more efficient road connectivity between the East and the West.”

CEVA Logistics has been an IRU member since 2019, and CEVA’s global leader for cross-border and multimodal solutions, Kelvin Tang, was recently awarded the IRU New Industry Shapers award in acknowledgment of his accomplishments in pioneering TIR transportation in China and promoting Asia-Europe trade.

Continue Reading

Logistics & Supply Chain

DPD UK to trial innovative mobile charging solution with OnCharge Energy

Published

on

DPD UK to trial innovative mobile charging solution with OnCharge Energy. Image: DPD Group
DPD UK to trial innovative mobile charging solution with OnCharge Energy. Image: DPD Group
Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

 

Leading parcel delivery company DPD UK is set to trial an innovative, new mobile powerbank charging concept that could provide a solution for commercial van drivers unable to charge their vehicles at home overnight.

The OnCharge ZIR0 prototype charging system will be trialed at DPD’s Bicester eco-depot – the most sustainable facility in the company’s UK network. The multi-van trial will allow drivers to collect a take-home powerbank from the depot, before driving home. The prototype power bank will charge the main traction battery of the van overnight, resulting in a 100% charge by the start of the driver’s day.

The prototype is the world’s first purpose-built ruggedised powerbank, designed for fleet commercial vehicles. With a real operating capacity of 50kWh, the system is designed to improve the Electric Light Commercial Vehicle (eLCV) driver experience. The OnCharge system takes just 90 seconds to load in the evening, and unload in the morning.

The OnCharge system has the potential to provide a solution to drivers that don’t have access to off-street parking and will help avoid reliance on public charging.

The prototype trials will allow OnCharge and DPD engineers to gather field data and review driver feedback. It will also provide insight into potential integration with DPD’s Bicester on-site solar panel array.

The trial is part of OnCharge Energy’s Field Test and Development programme and a key step towards scaling up customer production in late 2023.

DPD’s aim is to be the most sustainable parcel delivery company in the UK and the company is on track to have over 4,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on the road by the end of this year, when it will be delivering to 30 towns and cities using electric vehicles only. Nearby Oxford was DPD’s first ‘green city’, with all deliveries made by the Bicester eco-depot’s zero emission delivery vehicles.

Olly Craughan, Head of Sustainability, DPD UK commented, “It’s fantastic to work with OnCharge to try this system in the real-world. Working together will give us the opportunity to really understand the impact it can have on our drivers first-hand. It allows both us and OnCharge to see how the system works under different scenarios and allows our transport and sustainability teams to explore how an agile powerbank model can amplify our investment in EV and on-site renewable generation.”

Philip Clarke, CEO OnCharge Energy commented, “In terms of productivity, the most efficient time to charge a commercial EV is overnight, but around 70% of fleet van drivers can’t charge at home. We believe that a take-home powerbank that you can collect at the end of the working day could revolutionise commercial EV fleet management and help encourage more drivers to switch to EVs. DPD already have a huge amount of experience running a large EV fleet and the Bicester eco-depot is the perfect place to trial our solution. We are looking forward to working with the team and hopefully making their EV fleet even more efficient and effective.”

Continue Reading

Popular

Copyright © 2017-18 | FreightComms | Made with ♥ in Singapore