When the Amazon River runs low, logistics gets complicated. That’s the scenario WEG S.A. faced earlier this year while moving three giant transformers—together weighing 635 tons—from its production site in Betim, Minas Gerais, to Silves, Amazonas. The stakes were high, the terrain unforgiving, and the deadline non-negotiable.
To get it done, WEG tapped into its long-standing relationship with Maersk, relying on their experience in handling oversized and sensitive cargo through complex, multi-modal corridors. With the Amazon’s dry season in full swing, the river—normally a lifeline for heavy cargo—had become a gamble. Shallow waters, unpredictable currents, and limited navigability posed a serious threat to timelines and cargo integrity.
Maersk Project Logistics kicked things off with a thorough feasibility study, mapping each leg of the trip while closely monitoring environmental conditions. Road, sea, and river modes were stitched together like a relay race—each handoff timed with care. The convoy started with three specialty trucks carrying the transformers and 21 additional trucks loaded with 94 accessory volumes, all heading to Sepetiba Port in Itaguaí.
At the port, cargo was consolidated and prepared for its maritime leg to Belém’s Port of Outeiro. Even here, timing was everything. Each load had to be secured, balanced, and weather-checked to prevent mid-journey disruptions. But the real challenge lay ahead—navigating the shallow Amazon.
This leg required constant river depth monitoring, with the logistics team working in near real-time to determine safe passage. Once conditions aligned, the transformers were carefully barged from Belém to Silves. For this final stretch, every centimeter of water depth mattered. There was no margin for error with this kind of weight. One miscalculation and you’re not just stuck—you risk losing critical equipment.
Upon arrival, the equipment was offloaded and prepped for installation, without a scratch. For Maersk and WEG, it marked the successful completion of yet another complex operation. But for Brazil’s energy sector, it meant something more tangible—continuity.
These transformers are headed for the Azulão gas field project, a R$5.8 billion investment that’s expected to generate 950 MW of energy. The infrastructure powered by this cargo will supply much-needed electricity to the region, driving growth and energy reliability deep into the Amazon.
Projects like this underline a core truth in logistics: it’s not just about moving things from point A to point B. It’s about adapting to nature’s unpredictability, balancing precision with flexibility, and delivering under pressure. When done right, it’s nearly invisible—except to those who know how hard it really is.
