With the development of Galloper Offshore Wind Farm underway, an extension of the fully operational Greater Gabbard Wind Farm off the coast of Suffolk, Collett were tasked with providing transport logistics for a 180Tonne Transformer destined for the onshore substation.
Originating in South Korea the Super Grid Transformer, which measures an impressive 8.7m (L) x 4.9m (W) x 4.7m (H) was scheduled to arrive at the Port of Lowestoft via Rotterdam in late September. With the instruction of the project, on behalf of Hemisphere Freight Services, beginning in June this provided a tight four month timescale in which to plan, execute and complete the delivery.
Working closely with Hemisphere Freight Services Ltd and Robert Wynn & Sons, a solution for transferring the transformer from the originating vessel at Rotterdam to the specialist RoRo barge, the Terra Marique was devised. In collaboration Collett, Hemisphere and Wynns engineered specialist calculations and technical drawings of the loaded cargo to confirm the transformer’s stability and safety whilst on board the vessel. On arrival in Lowestoft the vessel’s hydraulic roadway would provide the option of delivering onto varying quay heights enabling the approach during high tide.
