“K” Line Global RoRo Service recently received a shipment of a 100-tonne reactor which was their first heavy piece shipment of 2022.
“From first sight it might not look overly complex, but the technical preparation and realisation of the specific cargo requirements constituted an interesting challenge for our technical teams.”
Based on the dimensions, footprint and weight of the cargo exceeding the limits of a 62ft standard rolltrailer, the choice was to use a “K” Line unique rolltrailer design, which is suitable for such kind of loads.
One option for consideration was to spread the load on 2 resting points with more than 3-metre-wide beddings. “However, this idea was technically contentious and comes with the problem of too much wooden dunnage being involved, which is unfavourable in many regards.”
“To avoid the option of building a “Jenga” wood tower beneath the cargo we decided to choose an unconventional option with a 40FT heavy duty mafi type. This “K” Line unique roll trailer design can accommodate higher point loads due to massive side beam constructions.
To make this plan work on a 40FT mafi we had to increase the distance between cargo saddle and mafi to create the required clearance above the gooseneck of the tug master.”
With that small modification they managed to fit the saddle within the reinforced areas of the 40FT RT which allowed a max trailer load of 97% in regards of bending incidents.
Also, by lifting the cargo position with dunnage they not only created clearance above the gooseneck, but also took care of additional clearance for the challenging ramp approach created by cargo overhang of more than 4 metres on the 40FT mafi.
Cargo securing and lashing was the least problematic part of the shipment as the cargo was equipped with sufficient lashing points. All lashings were done as per IMO CSS ANNEX 13 standards to withstand the current weather condition on the Atlantic Ocean.
“Therefore, it was absolute key for us to have a reliable and experienced partner at the port of loading who managed to execute our planning from paper to reality.”