Nearly 12 million trucks, locomotives, rail cars and vessels move goods over the US’ transportation network according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Trucks carry most of the weight and value of freight, but railroads and waterways carry significant volumes over long distances. Last year the bureau published its most recent report on freight movement in the US. After back-to-back declines in 2008 and 2009, the tonnage and value of freight moved in 2013 surpassed prerecession levels.
While the US has an extensive network in place to move freight, the efficiency of which is an important factor on construction and tunnelling projects, when it comes to TBMs and other oversized equipment challenges arise. Cargo used to support the industry is often “over dimensional” and does not fit into a standard container or an “abnormal load.” There are a number of companies and ports available to serve this niche. . Port PersPective
The American Association of Port Authorities says ports can be compared in many different ways—by volume or value of trade, revenues, and storage capacity, for example. Moreover, sheer size of a port, in terms of traffic flow, says nothing about productivity, efficiency, or responsiveness to customers. These are just some of the criteria that a shipper might consider in evaluating port performance.
The Port of Everett, in Washington, is about 25 miles (40km) north of Seattle on the Puget Sound. It’s the closest, active US international seaport to Canada and it specializes in over dimensional cargo such as machinery for agriculture, construction, and oil and gas projects. The port delivers cargo to truck or rail, and has the proper cargo handling equipment, infrastructure and truck routes to support oversized cargo, it says. The port is served by the BNSF with direct access to the railroad’s mainline and it currently has 5,500ft (1,676m) of track capacity with an additional 3,300ft (1,006m) to be constructed this year.
A spokesperson explains, dimensions are important for the party responsible for the next conveyance. In Washington state, for example, arterials and freeways have restrictions on weight, height and width of cargo moving through cities and or freeways. Customers who move this type of cargo will hire experts to help negotiate through the various processes of obtaining local and state permits, state patrol escorts and pilot car services to escort cargo to destination.
Keep it moving
RTM Lines transports break-bulk and project cargo and provides ocean transport for the mining and tunnelling industries. Richard Tiebel, vice president of RTM Lines, Abnormal Load Division, says, this highly specialized class of cargo requires special planning and attention along every point from port-to-port, whether it is a locomotive, TBM or ancillary equipment. “The most challenging aspect of abnormal load shipments is to anticipate and prepare for any issues that may arise; from insuring/providing the proper vessel for height, weight, and delivery requirements, to closely monitoring storage, loading, stowage and unloading, in order to minimize costs and deliver cargo safely, on time and on budget.”
Transportation requirements are not always straightforward. RTM worked with a mining equipment manufacturer whose client required that phosphate-mining equipment be transported for arrival in Morocco despite component parts originating in both the US and Germany, explains Tiebel. RTM arranged simultaneous delivery to loading ports, Bremerhaven and Baltimore. “From both ports of origin, we coordinated vessel sailings for arrival at the same time at the Casablanca destination,” he says.
Contex, headquartered in Germany with locations in the US, has worked on tunnel projects since 1991, most recently moving TBMs and components in Georgia, Ohio, and New York. The firm works with manufacturers, suppliers and contractors. Whether dealing with travel restrictions in urban areas or the lack of accessibility for remote mining projects, coordination is key when assessing weight limitations, timing arrivals, and securing trucking equipment and permits, among other requirements.
“We do the complete logistics, door to door service,” says Contex’s Bennet Riemeier, “including route planning for trucking, terminal handling at the ports, ocean vessel coordination and booking, import and export customs and surveyor services.” He points out projects will also need spare part delivery, which might be rushed or oversized. Contex offers airfreight for urgently needed spare parts from nuts to 12ft- (3.66m)-wide replacement bearings, Riemeier says.
