Heavy transport specialist Mammoet recently completed the complex delivery and installation of three 345-ton transformers for Royal SMIT Transformers B.V., following a waterborne arrival and multi-phase onshore logistics operation.
The move involved precise coordination across multiple transport and lifting methods, starting with the arrival of the transformers by vessel. Once docked, Mammoet deployed its CC3800 crawler crane, a reliable piece of equipment known for its high capacity in tight operational windows. The crane was used to lift each of the transformers—each weighing 345 metric tons—from the vessel directly to the dockside.
From there, the challenge shifted to ground transport. A conventional trailer configuration was chosen, consisting of a three-file, twelve-axle setup. This allowed for a stable and balanced movement overland, minimizing stress on both the cargo and the infrastructure it traversed. The heavy haul took a calculated route to the nearby installation site.
On site, lifting was not an option. Instead, Mammoet turned to its in-house jacking and skidding technology. This method, though slower than crane placement, offered greater control and safety, especially important for assets of this size and sensitivity. The jacking system raised each transformer to the necessary height, after which the skidding equipment shifted the units into final position with millimeter accuracy.
These types of logistics moves aren’t just about strength—they’re about timing, precision, and experience. They reflect the kind of routine complexity that’s baked into large-scale power projects. For transformer manufacturers like Royal SMIT, handing over equipment to experienced logistics partners like Mammoet is not just standard—it’s essential.
