Images: Aproject/LinkedIn
Twelve floating caissons—each weighing 171 tons and stretching over 31 meters long—are making their way from Ras Al Khaimah in a complex three-part transport operation now approaching its final phase.
In the UAE’s northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, a major marine infrastructure transport project is progressing toward its scheduled July 7 completion. The job: moving twelve enormous concrete caissons across three sailings, with four units loaded per vessel. Each caisson is over 31 meters long, 10 meters wide, and stands more than 7 meters high, amounting to more than 27,000 CBM of cargo in total.
The project is being executed by Aprojects, a Dubai-based logistics company, handling the operation under FOB terms, which includes everything from coordination at the fabrication site to loading and lashing at the port.
Each caisson weighs 171 tons, requiring specialized heavy-lift equipment. An 800-ton capacity crawler crane, supported by a 250-ton assist crane, has been used to lift the units onto 14-axle Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs). These were then carefully maneuvered to the quay for loading.
“The scale and density of the caissons presented unique challenges,” said a senior project manager involved in the operation. “We had to engineer every lift, every turn, and every lash point with absolute precision.”
Oversized Challenges, Precise Execution
Transporting units of this size is never straightforward. Route planning had to account for tight clearances on-site and at the port. The quay-side setup had to support both the combined weight of the caisson and the lifting equipment. Teams worked around the clock to maintain the tight sailing schedule, with each sailing requiring synchronized coordination between site crews, vessel operators, and safety personnel.
Despite the logistical hurdles, the project has stayed on track. Two of the three sailings have been completed, with the final vessel scheduled to load and depart before the July 7 deadline.
No safety incidents have been reported to date, a notable achievement given the nature of the heavy-lift operations. The team credits strict adherence to safety protocols and seamless interdepartmental communication as key success factors.
