Huge Shiploader Journeys from China to the US

A shiploader weighing more than 560 metric tons has made the voyage from Nantong, China to Portland, Ore. in the U.S. with the help of transporter HANSA HEAVY LIFT GmbH (HHL).

The shiploader, which measures 36.5 meters in length x 56.44 in width x 31.50 in height, was loaded onto cargo ship HHL Richards Bay for transport, discharging at the Port of Portland where engineers installed it onto the pier for Sandvik Mining and Construction.

“The biggest challenge was to lift the shiploader over the conveyor rail at the Port of Portland, whilst ensuring neither sustained damaged,” said Gareth Hamer, Head of Cargo Management, Americas, HHL. 

“We then completed the installation of the tripper car and portal under the direction of Sandvik,” Hamer continued. “The discharge operation took place over five days and required detailed planning, as well as close cooperation with all parties involved.”

HHL’s engineers used three lifting beams to move the shiploader on and off the vessel at each port, as it only had lifting trunnions on one side.

The size of the cargo and narrow width of the pier meant that the third lifting beam had to be lowered onto a barge after the discharge operation was completed.

“Our expert team of engineers and experienced crew worked closely with the customer to plan the move and ensure it took place safely and on time,” said Joerg Roehl, Chief Commercial Officer, HHL. “Our specialized in-house team of naval architects, structural engineers and welding engineers with shipyard, offshore and installation background and the added benefits of our young fleet of vessels, enables us to customize solutions such as this for our customers.”