Sea, river and land transport for giant reactors

Two hydrotreating (HDT) reactors weighing 360 tonnes each have been transported a distance of a over 5,000 kilometres, for as part of the expansion of a major oil refinery in India.

The multi-modal logistics feat was recently carried out by specialist company Total Movements, which described the project as “another feather in its cap”.

One fo the 360 tonne HDT reactors being lifted onto the heavy lift cargo vessel. (PHOTO: WWPC)

It transported the two HDT reactors across sea, river and land from the west coast of India to Bihar in the country’s far east region.

A heavy lift vessel took the industrial units, which each measured 32 metres long, from the Port of Mumbai to the Port of Kolkata on the other side of the country.

From there, barges were used to move the HDT reactors up the Ganges River towards the city of Patna.

Double banking operations were carried out in Mumbai and Kolkata. (PHOTO: WWPC)

The third leg of the journey saw the construction of a jetty and an approach road that enabled specialist heavy lift trailers to collect the units, before delivering them to their final destination in Bihar, roughly 50 kilometres away.

Total Movements said, “This complex move was fraught with many challenges through its movement”.

Among them were the timely deployment of the barges and cargo vessel, double banking operations at both Mumbai and Kolkata ports and the movement of the reactors up the Ganges River.

Transferring the HDT reactors from the Ganges River required Total Movements to construct a jetty and approach road. (PHOTO: WWPC)

A spokesperson for Total Movements said, “Our team worked diligently and patiently conquering every challenge that came on its way.

“Right from the planning of this critical movement to its execution, our team worked closely with all the stakeholders involved to ensure the safe and timely delivery of this cargo.”