deugro transports 1,441 tonnes Oman to Antwerp for INEOS terminal expansion

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Belgium based deugro has completed the transport of more than 1,441 metric tonnes and 7,324 cubic meters of oversized cargo from Oman to Antwerp, supporting the INEOS terminal expansion project.

Working on behalf of Worley, teams from Belgium, the Netherlands and Oman coordinated the movement of nine heavy lift skids, including ethylene vessels, refrigerant chillers and compressor units. Individual units measured up to 14.35 meters in length and weighed more than 200 metric tonnes.

The cargo originated at Sohar Industrial Estate in Oman, where early challenges required adjustments before transport could begin. Some units had been positioned too close to surrounding structures, preventing direct loading. This forced double handling using temporary transport setups before final loading onto trailers and self propelled modular transporters.

Moving cargo of this size is rarely straightforward. The 18.5 kilometer journey to Sohar Port took place at walking speed and only during nighttime hours due to road restrictions and axle load limits.

dteq Transport Engineering Solutions carried out detailed route surveys and engineered transport configurations to meet the local maximum axle load of 14 metric tonnes. Movements were escorted by local teams and, on public roads, by the Royal Oman Police.

The cargo mix required different transport configurations. Ethylene vessel skids were moved using multi axle trailers and SPMTs, while compressor and chiller skids required separate axle combinations tailored to weight distribution and road constraints.

After 15 days of inland operations, all units reached the port staging area, ready for ocean transport.

At the port, lifting operations presented another challenge. Six of the nine skids had lifting lugs positioned at height, creating safety concerns during rigging.

“Working at a height of 12 meters with a shackle and pin weighing over 100 kilograms becomes challenging and dangerous,” said Giovanni Nigro, Senior Naval Architect at dteq.

To mitigate risk, the project team designed and installed custom spacer rings and sleeves. These modifications allowed the use of lighter 120 metric tonne shackles while still complying with DNV standards required by the marine warranty surveyor.

Cargo securing on board relied on welded vertical H beams to prevent horizontal movement, combined with wire lashings to stabilize against tipping.

Once loaded, the vessel departed Sohar for Antwerp via the Cape of Good Hope. The 10,800 nautical mile journey took 38 days.

Upon arrival at PSA Breakbulk terminal in Antwerp, discharge operations required further coordination. Due to quay limitations, deugro deployed two ro ro flat top pontoons for double banking operations.

Cargo was transferred from the vessel onto pontoons and then moved to Singelweg Quay, approximately four nautical miles away. There, limited ground bearing capacity required the use of a floating crane to complete final discharge onto trailers and SPMTs.

Tidal variation added another layer of complexity. With sea levels fluctuating by up to 11 meters, lifting operations were planned around worst case low tide conditions to ensure safe crane reach and clearance.

Each phase of the operation required tight coordination between engineering, on site teams and marine assets. According to Joost Maranus, Project Manager at deugro Antwerp, success depended on preparation and communication.

“Meticulous planning and preparation, combined with close and clockwork like operational collaboration and communication between all partners, made this project a success,” he said.

The project highlights how engineering, transport planning and execution must align when handling complex project cargo across multiple geographies.