In a bid to bolster safety in heavy transport operations, Mammoet has teamed up with the European Association of Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes (ESTA) to establish groundbreaking stability guidelines for Self-Propelled Modular Trailers (SPMTs).
Led by Ludo Mous, Mammoet’s Director of Operations for Europe, the initiative aims to address the increasing complexity and size of transported loads. With over three decades of experience in the industry, Mous emphasizes the critical importance of accurate stability calculations in today’s evolving transport landscape. He stresses the need to raise awareness of these guidelines to mitigate potential risks associated with transporting heavy and oversized cargo.
Mammoet’s involvement in ESTA’s SPMT working groups, dating back to 2016, underscores its commitment to shaping industry best practices. The recent collaboration resulted in the publication of updated trailer stability guidelines by ESTA in October 2023. These guidelines are set to inform the forthcoming revision of the DNV ST-N001 Maritime Operations Standard, endorsed by DNV, a leading authority in assurance and risk management.
Central to the new guidelines is a refined approach to stability assessment, which incorporates dynamic factors like braking, acceleration, wind, and road camber. This departure from traditional methods underscores the industry’s shift towards a more calculated and comprehensive approach to safety.
Mammoet conducted rigorous testing of SPMTs at its quayside yard in Schiedam, the Netherlands, covering various operational scenarios such as acceleration, braking, tilting, and emergency stops. These tests provided invaluable data to inform the development of the guidelines and enhance understanding of SPMT operation dynamics.
Looking ahead, the focus shifts to establishing minimum training requirements for SPMT operators based on identified learning outcomes. This initiative is poised to further elevate user competence and safety standards in the heavy transport sector.
