A colossal operation in a remote African region
In a remote stretch of Angola, Roll Group has successfully executed what is being called one of the largest trailer load-outs ever attempted on the African continent. The company, known for its expertise in heavy transport and lifting, delivered both a massive jacket structure and a topside module onto a floating barge using a staggering 140 axle lines. This impressive feat underscores the company’s ability to handle complex operations, even in the most isolated and challenging environments.
Engineering expertise and logistical muscle
What made this project stand out? It wasn’t just the sheer scale of the cargo—over 7,190 metric tonnes combined—but also the complexity of the operation. Roll Group’s in-house engineering team played a crucial role from the earliest stages, ensuring that every detail was accounted for before execution. The global mobilization of self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) added another layer of complexity, requiring careful coordination across multiple locations to ensure the right equipment arrived at the right time.
For those unfamiliar, moving massive structures like these is not just a matter of strapping them onto a truck and hitting the road. The jacket and topside modules, measuring up to 97 meters in length and over 52 meters in height, demanded meticulous planning, precise engineering calculations, and the ability to adapt to the harsh realities of an off-grid, rural location.
The numbers behind the move
Let’s break down the cargo. The jacket, weighing in at 3,740.7 metric tonnes, measured 97 meters long, 42 meters wide, and 42.7 meters high. The topside module was no less impressive, clocking in at 3,449.4 metric tonnes and stretching 44.5 meters in length, 73.8 meters in width, and standing 52 meters tall. These dimensions are comparable to a mid-sized office building and required an equally large barge for transportation offshore.
A delicate roll-off strategy
With the cargo secured onto the barge, the next challenge was the roll-off process. Time is critical in offshore operations, and Roll Group employed a swift roll-off strategy to minimize preparation time at sea. This approach not only reduced the turnaround time but also helped mitigate offshore installation risks—a critical consideration when working in remote areas with limited access to resources.
Collaboration at its core
This project wasn’t achieved in isolation. It was a team effort involving Petromar Lda, Saipem, and Azule Energy. Their collaboration ensured smooth coordination from the initial planning stages to the final load-out. It’s a reminder that in the world of project cargo and offshore logistics, success is rarely a solo act.
Global presence, local challenges
While Roll Group operates globally, this project highlights the unique challenges of working in a rural African context. From limited infrastructure to unpredictable local conditions, the team had to adapt on the fly. Yet, by bringing in expertise from around the world and leveraging their in-house capabilities, Roll Group demonstrated that even the most daunting logistical puzzles can be solved with the right mix of experience, planning, and execution.
