A complex heavy transport move recently took place along the Texas coast, where global heavy lift specialist Mammoet moved two large furnace modules to support construction at the Golden Triangle Polymers Company facility in Orange, Texas.
The modules, weighing 109 and 100 metric tons respectively, were first loaded-in at Port Aransas. From there, they were shipped roughly 300 miles along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to Orange. Upon arrival, Mammoet employed self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) to move the equipment from the port to its final staging location.
The operation was executed on behalf of PCL Construction, who is overseeing the broader development of the facility. The goal? Minimize construction disruption by transporting the modules in their largest practical sizes, eliminating the need for more extensive onsite assembly work.
The modules are bound for use in polyethylene production. Polyethylene is an essential polymer found in everyday items—food packaging, household containers, personal care products. The facility will contribute significantly to the local manufacturing ecosystem, particularly in the petrochemical-heavy Golden Triangle region, which has long served as a hub for energy and chemical operations.
By staging the transport in fewer, larger components, Mammoet helped streamline construction timelines and reduce site congestion—both crucial in a tightly managed industrial build. The furnace modules had to navigate not just waterways but also urban and industrial obstacles, a task made manageable through detailed route planning and engineering coordination.
The Gulf Coast is no stranger to heavy industrial moves, but this operation highlights the increasingly collaborative and precise nature of modern logistics in the sector. The combination of marine and overland transport, orchestrated across multiple modes, speaks to how breakbulk operations have evolved to meet tighter project schedules and stricter site requirements.
