How did we move one of India’s longest cargoes ever?

Issue 34 April, 2021 In Focus 0 Share On :

Making a significant contribution to India’s growth agenda as the country gets back on the move despite navigating another phase of rising COVID-19 cases, are several infrastructure and development projects that will bolster manufacturing and industrial growth. And to ensure that these projects progress on-schedule, leading integrated logistics services providers like Allcargo Logistics create logistics magic with engineering excellence and ingenious Project Logistics services.

Moving complex machinery and critical equipment across the length and breadth of the country is not an easy task. It requires thorough planning, detailed documentation, several permissions – all backed by a relentless commitment to safety and timely delivery.

More often than not, these projects involve multiple associates, and a knack of working collaboratively to enhance efficiencies across every stage of the factory-to-foundation is of utmost importance. That’s precisely why customers across industries rely on trusted partners like Allcargo, who have over two decades of experience and expertise in Project Logistics solutions.

It is no wonder then, that when one of India’s longest cargoes of 96 metres, weighing more than 1000 MT along with several other equipment had to be moved from Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Hazira (Gujarat) to Paradip (Odisha), the team at Allcargo was called on to deliver innovative solutions and impeccable execution.

Multimodal cargo movement at multiple stages

“For all of us at Allcargo, moving one of India’s longest cargoes from Gujarat, all the way to Odisha is nothing short of spectacular. Our team truly stepped up its game as it coordinated movements from two origins – Mumbai and Hazira – to Paradip port in Odisha. Since this was the first time a cargo of these proportions was being received at the destination, the learning curve was steep and rife with challenges, requiring the team to be agile and flexible to adapt along the way. But living up to our values of collaboration, innovation and customer centricity, we made it happen, with zero compromise on safety or quality”, said Rahul Rai, Business Head of Project & Engineering Division, Allcargo Logistics.

The cargo being moved comprised of a wash tower, deethylenizer, EO reactor being transported from Hazira in Gujarat and a reactor steam drum from Mumbai in Maharashtra. With the longest piece of equipment being 96 metres, the total weight of the cargo being moved was more than 3400 MT. From both origin points, a series of multimodal transportation milestones dotted the voyage to Paradip port in Odisha.

The trajectory of the cargo that moved from Hazira was:

• Road transportation from the factory in Hazira to the jetty

• Roll-On on to the barge at the jetty

• Barge movement from the jetty to the Hazira port (alongside vessel)

• Vessel voyage from the Hazira port to Paradip (PICT) port

• Underhook receiving from the vessel on SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transporter)

• Road transportation from PICT to the project site

For the cargo being transported from Mumbai, the journey comprised of:

• Road transportation from the factory to the jetty

• Roll-On on to the barge at the jetty

• Barge movement from the jetty to the Hazira port (alongside vessel)

• Vessel voyage from Hazira port to Paradip (PICT) port

• Underhook receiving from the vessel on SPMT

Turning challenges into opportunities to learn and innovate

Carrying out a movement of this immense magnitude came with its unique set of challenges. Right from weather conditions, to accommodating for certain constraints of the country’s logistics infrastructure, along with taking all the COVID-19 safety and care precautions – everything had to be taken into account. And with this being the first time such a huge cargo was being received at the destination, a number of measures had to be implemented at the destination port and project site too.

But trust Allcargo’s team of experts to go the extra mile and do everything it takes to deliver on its promise! How did they do it?

  • After thorough research and analysis, a suitable location was identified at the origin’s yard where such long packages could be fabricated.
  • A 180-degree rotation of the 96 metre package was carried out on the south side of the yard to bring it to a suitable orientation for loading on to the vessel.
  • A Ro-Ro ramp suitable for such a long piece of cargo was designed to carry out the Roll-on operation.
  • Additional vigilance and precautions were taken to maintain the crane lifting radius while lifting the cargo using vessel gears, which proved to be quite a challenge.
  • At the Paradip port, a PICT boundary wall was demolished to ensure safe passage while coming out of the port premises.
  • Civil work and modifications were also carried out at the project site in Odisha for safe manoeuvring of the cargo.
  • A bypass was prepared at the Sandkhurd village for safe passage of the cargo.

Always staying a step ahead with ingenuity and technology

One of the key reasons why Allcargo’s team could carry out this movement seamlessly is their approach of paying attention to detail and constantly communicating with the customer and other partners involved to anticipate hindrances, so that they could be prepared in advance to resolve them.

By maintaining and operating a robust fleet of equipment, carrying out regular training for all its equipment operators and cargo handlers and keeping pace with the evolving business environment with new-age solutions like ‘control tower’ that enable digitally-driven informed decisions, Allcargo’s Project Logistics team is forward-looking and future-ready.

Broadening horizons

By showcasing its relentless dedication and capabilities to move cargo of all types and sizes even to seemingly inaccessible and challenging destinations, the team has already proved that it is unstoppable.

Along with partnering key development projects in India, Allcargo’s Project Logistics division now also looks ahead to contributing to progress in numerous countries in the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Middle East and South East Asia.

Quick Bytes

1
With the longest piece of equipment being 96 metres, the total weight of the cargo being moved was more than 3400 MT.
2
As this was the first time such a huge cargo was being received at the destination, a number of measures had to be implemented at destination port and project site too.
3
Moving complex machinery and critical equipment across the length and breadth of the country requires thorough planning, detailed documentation, several permissions – safely and on-time.
4
When one of India’s longest cargoes of 96 metres, had to be moved from Hazira (Gujarat) to Paradip (Odisha), the team at Allcargo was called on to deliver innovative solutions.
5
Research and analysis to identify suitable locations, civil work that involved demolishing boundary walls and preparing bypasses along with careful manoeuvring of the cargo proved essential for the seamless movement.

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