1700-ton project takes 40 vehicles to move

A total of 40 vehicles – running on 1 562 tyres – to carry a cargo of 64 pieces totalling 1 704-tonnes and with a volume of 2 717-cubic metres. Those are the vital statistics of a recent project cargo job handled by Durban-based Project Logistics Management (PLM) – moving a new press line for MA Automotive from the port of discharge to its new home in Rosslyn, Pretoria. “A few more figures to add to your list,” said Carl Webb, MD of PLM. “The cargo was shipped in to Richards Bay aboard the 12 744-t deadweight (dwt) heavy-lift ship Beluga Fantasy. She berthed after a four-day delay, and took five days to discharge. “The abnormal cargo consisted of press components, one of which weighed 160-t, three of 115-t, and the balance ranged between 6-t and 78-t per piece. This was loaded directly on to 21 vehicles and indirectly on to 19.” The transport to Rosslyn was completed within a 14-day period. This, Webb told FTW, was a little longer than originally planned. “But,” he added, “delays were incurred because the Gauteng traffic officers – who are an essential escort for abnormal load convoys such as this – had decided to go on strike.” Applying a keen eye to the technicalities of the marine survey and supervision was Dave Oram of DS Oram and Associates.