151
1 INTRODUCTION
Shipments requiring handling of oversize cargo in
maritime transport are increasing and due to their
size,weightorspecific character of carriage, require
individualsolutions.
There are special handling installations on the
terminals, factory sites, ports and docks for the
oversize transport. The applicable safety rules, i.e.
issued by the International Maritime Organization,
the Road Administration or Rail Administration,
shouldbestrictlyrespected.
Every case of handling, stowage and securing of
suchcargomustbedoneunderthesupervisionofthe
surveyors.Moreoveradequat
ecalculationsshouldbe
made prior to the shipment and necessary permits
andcertificatesshouldbeobtained[2].
Thistypeofcargoincludese.g.drillingpla
tforms
and marine wind turbine bases. Their enormous
parameters require individual approach to loading
and unloading operations. The port location is one
essential aspect decisive for the port capability of
handling heavy and super heavy cargoes. It is the
location that ma
kes some of the seaports unable to
handletheheaviestandlargestpieces ofcargo.Only
port’scloseproximitytotheseamakesitcompetitive
onthemarketofsuperheavycargopieces.Overshort
distancessuchcargoesmaybetowedtotheplaceof
destination or transported over longer distances by
thesocalledheavyliftcarriers.Thesearevesselsfor
the carriage of oversize and heavy cargo, including
superheavyandheavylift
s[2].
TheauthorthepaperisanindependentSurveyor,
swornExpertPolishChamberofMaritimeCommerce
(PCMC).
PCMCis a nationwide, voluntary and self‐
governmentorganizationofbusinessentitiesrunning
activities under broa dly defined maritime economy.
Theprincipa lpurposeoftheactivitiesoftheChamber
isto create conditions forusing the sea as a natural
fact
or of economic development and also supervises
theactivitiesoftheteamofswornexpertsthatconsist
of150specialistsofdifferentbranches.
Safety of Oversize Cargo in Ports and in the Sea
Transport
M.Chmieliński
PolishNavalAcademy,Gdynia,Poland
ABSTRACT:Authoro
f
thepaperanalyzes problemsrelatedtothe safetyo
f
theoversizecargoinportsandin
the sea transport.Variousmodes of transportare used to carry oversized units that often include maritime
transport.Transportofoversizedcargoincludesnon‐standardlargeandheavypiecesofcargo,suchaselectric
transformers,reactorvessels,windturbines,airplanefuselageornuclearpowerpla
ntcomponents.Theabove
paper is based on results of research oversized cargo in the Elpo Service Company and Pol‐Mare Ltd. for‐
wardingconsultingagency.
http://www.transnav.eu
the International Journal
on Marine Navigation
and Safety of Sea Transportation
Volume 11
Number 1
March 2017
DOI:10.12716/1001.11.01.18
152
2 DEFINITIONSOFOVERSIZECARGO
Theexplanationofthedefinitionoftheoversizecargo
isakeyandrealtesnotonlymaritimetransport,but
toallmodesoftransport.Thereisnotprecise,andthe
onlyuniquedefinitionoftheoversizecargo.
In rail transport oversize cargo exceeds standard
loading
gaugeorexceedspermissibleaxleloadofthe
railway. Such a situation is called extraordinary
delivery, which means, such transport can cause
difficultiesinrailtransportanditisnecessarytotake
special technical and/or operating actions. In inland
shippingoversizecargoiscargo,thatovercomesthe
vessel’slengthor/and
widthorwhichovercomesthe
standard air draft of the vessel (vertical clearness of
bridges,gatesetc.).
Below are oversize cargo definitions in the
different modes of transport: road, rail, inland
shipping,seaandairtransport.
The parameters of cargo differ from each other,
whicheffectsinthemultiplicityofmeans
oftransport
engaged in the oversize transport. Sometimes even
specially designed to transport a particular type of
oversizecargo(Fig.1).
Figure1. Elpo Service Company specializes in
transportationofoversizedcargo,weighingover370tonsof
submarinetypeKobben.Source:ElpoServiceCompany
Inroadtransportoversizecargoexceedsmaximal
permitted parameters of standard road vehicle or
exceeds permissible axle load of the vehicle. In
consequence, there are oversize vehicles instead of
oversizecargoes(Fig.2).
Figure2. Pol‐Mare Ltd. specializes in transportation of
oversizedcargo.Source:Pol‐MareLtd.
It could be said, that in all cases “oversize”
determinantsare:
1 cargodimensions,
2 cargoweight(Fig.3),
3 availablecargospaceonthevehicle,
4 permissible pressure and stress on the loading
surface,
5 permissiblestressonsurfaceofroad/rails.
Figure3. Pol‐Mare Ltd. specializes in transportation of
oversizedcargo‐shuntreactor andfloating crane“Maja”.
Source:Pol‐MareLtd.
Inthe sea transportthe oversize cargo is defined
as:breakbulkorgeneralcargounit,whichovercome
the parameters of standard cargo units. It means, it
weightshundredsoreventhousands of tons and its
dimensions is counted in tens or even hundreds of
meters.Inintermodaltransport,oversizecargo
isthe
cargo,thatexceedstheaveragepermissible
parameters of means of transport in terms of size,
shape,or/andpermissiblepressureandstresson the
loadingsurfaceofminimumonemeanoftransport.
Oversizecargo,alsoreferredtoasnon‐standardor
over standard, is cargo whose transfer requires the
useofspecialmeansoftransportandliftingfacilities
withacapacityadequateforcargoweight[3].
Taking into account the dimensions, weight and
shape of oversize cargo, we can divide it as
follows[5]:
1 ordinary oversize cargo – all kinds of steel
structures, small size industrial machines and
equipment,
working machines, small tanks and
many others. If their weight does not exceed 25
tons, and their dimensions slightly exceed
standardparametersallowedinroadtransport,i.e.
lengthof15‐16m,widthof3.5‐4.0mandheightof
3.0‐3.5 m.This type of cargo can be carried
by
normalroadvehicles,thatisatrucktractorwitha
semi‐trailer, uncovered, equipped with proper
markingequipmentandsecuring’s;
2 long pieces – mainly include structural
components for civil engineering projects, e.g.
spans, pillars, gantry crane or wind turbine
elements; other type comprises reactors and
columnsforthechemical
andrefinery industries;
their length may reach 40, even 60 meters, while
theotherparametersdonotexceedstandardsizes
(Fig.4andFig.5).
153
Figure4. Pol‐Mare Ltd. specializes in transportation of
oversizedcargo‐turbineelements.Source:Pol‐MareLtd.
Figure5. Pol‐Mare Ltd. specializes in transportation of
oversizedcargo‐turbineelements.Source:Pol‐MareLtd.
1 special oversize cargo – this includes, among
others,largeelementsofcombustionchambersfor
powerstations,machinecomponentsforopenpit
mining, steel structures, tanks for food industry
andbreweries.Withtheir largedimensions,these
cargopiecesoftenhappentohaverelativelysmall
weight.
Therefore, there is no adverse effect
on the road
surface,buttherearerestrictionsduetothecargo
parameters.Somepiecesofcargomaybe5mlong,
7mwideand6‐7mhigh;
2 heavy compact lifts – machines such as
transformers,generators andturbines. Their
characteristic feature is a large weight relative
to
volume. The same refers to industrial presses or
marine engine crankshafts. Some of these may
weigh200tonsup to even300tons.Theycanbe
transportedbyland,wheremulti‐axlesemi‐trailers
areneededforthecarriage;
3 heavy lifts – these include machines and
equipment for civil
engineering, boilers, various
typesoftanks,housingsforpowerplantmachines,
ship parts (hull sections, superstructures, hatch
covers,etc.);
4 rail wagons, tram cars, complete technological
lines for metallurgical, automobile, chemical or
powerengineeringindustries.Theweightofsuch
piecesgenerallyrangesfrom70to100tons;
5 spaciouscargoes
–theseincludevarioustypes of
structures,bridgespans,drillingrigs,cranes(fixed
and mobile), large diameter pipes, port gantry
cranesetc.Thesepiecesofcargomay weigh, say,
900 tons and have a height of 40 meters. Such
objectscannotbecarriedbyroad;theonlywayis
bysea,
sometimesbyriver.
3 OVERSIZECARGOINMARITIMETRANSPORT
Oversize heavy and super heavy cargoes in global
maritime transport is on the rise. Handling of these
untypical pieces of cargo requires proper port
infrastructure, as well as skillful personnel that
participates in cargo operations. Besides, particular
needarises toassure
safetyofnavigation forvessels
carrying such pieces, especially in restricted waters
[2]. At present, heavy lifts are handled in ports that
haverelevantexperienceandappropriateequipment.
Super heavy and heavy cargo pieces belong to the
group of oversize and heavy cargoes, i.e. cargoes
whose dimensions and/or weight exceed standard
freightparameters,whichcallsforspecializedvessels
andspecificcargo‐handlingmethods.
Description of oversize cargo often described as
“heavy lifts”, are those measured from tens to
hundreds of meters and weight hundreds or even
thousandsoftons.Someofextra‐largeoversizeunits
arebeing transported on special, unique
ships, built
on purpose. The example of such is the Semi‐
Submersible ship (SEMI).The floating oversize cargo
(onbargeorbyitself)ispositionedondeckwhichis
floodedandsubmergedunderwater.Whentheballast
ispumpedout,thedeckcomesupandoversizecargo
remainsondrydeck (Fig.6).
Theoversizecargocould
beloadedbyheavycrane(floatingorshore)withload
capacityfrom100to2000tonsandover.Ineverycase,
during loading and the sea passage, it should be
takenintoaccountfollowingsafetyfactors:
1 distributionoftheweightofthecargo,
2 centreofgravityandcentreofinertiaofweight,
3 transversemoments,
4 torsionandvibration,
5 stabilityoftheloadedship.
Figure6. Pol‐Mare Ltd. specializes in transportation of
oversizedcargo‐shuntreactor.Source:Pol‐MareLtd.
LegalbasisforoversizetransportinPolandinthe
seatransportisThePolishMaritimeCodeissuedon
18ofSeptember2001.Thereisnotanyparticularlaw
regarding oversize cargoes, therefore carrying such
type of cargo, apart from the ship’s Loading and
StabilityInstructions,one must follow the standards
of
SafePracticeforcargoStowageandSecuring,and
other safety procedures enforced by the IMO
Conventions. The institution of Maritime Code,
however in different forms, is enforced in all
Maritime Countries [9]. The following International
Regulations shall be obeyed when carrying the
oversizecargoes:
154
InternationalConvention for the Safety of Life at
Sea(SOLAS),1974;
InternationalConventiononLoadLines,1966
InternationalConventionforSafeContainers,1972
(CSC));
InternationalRegulationsforPreventingCollisions
atSea,1972(COLREGs);
Code of safe practice to cargo stowage and
securing(CSSIMOCode);
Regulationof the local Maritime Administrations
[10]. Regarding the oversize transport, the local
law imposes on the Administration the duty to
monitor and supervise the movement of such
cargoes.
Inpracticeitislimitedtoonetimepermitgivento
the water crafts carrying oversize cargoes, for
enteringthe
portandtonavigateonthewatersunder
jurisdictionofthesaidadministration(Fig.7).
Figure7. ELPO Service Company specializes in
transportation of oversized cargo. Source: ELPO Service
Company
Itapplieshowevertoallshipsdeferringfromthe
standard parameters for draft, dimensions and
maneuverability.Duetothevariabilityoftheoversize
cargoes, apart from General Regulations originated
from the Port Regulations, the regulations referring
the oversize cargoes alone are not defined, and the
permitformovementisgivenfor
onepassageonly.It
should be emphasized that in every case the
additional tugboat assistance should be given and
frequently,secondpilot. The terms ofthe additional
insurancecoverageforthecarrierwillbeproduced.In
caseofthePolishportssuchPortRegulationsorigin
from the Directives, Announcements and
Orders of
theDirectoroftheMaritimeOffice
Transport of the oversize cargoes by the sea
vessels, i.e. sea barges or ships, demands the
specializedportinfrastructure.Thisisthemainfactor
definingtheport’scapabilitytoperformtheoversize
cargo handling operations. In Poland that kind of
services could be
provided in Port of Szczecin‐
Świnoujście,PortofGdańskandPortofGdynia.All
ports are easily accessible by the road and rail and,
additionally, Port of Szczecin‐Świnoujście is a river
port.
InSzczecin,theoversizecargoishandledeitherby
mobile crane „Gottwald” of 100
tons load or by
floatingcraneof200tonsload.Duetothat,oversize
cargoes could be handled at almost every quay, but
mostoftensuchacargoishandledattheTerminalor
at the Duty Free Zone. In Port of Gdańsk oversize
cargoesarehandledatthe
PortFreeZonebymobile
Craneof100tonsload.
Theotherportoperatorownsfloatingcraneof63
tons load. Additionally, Gdansk Shipyard
“Remontowa” owns floating crane of 200 tons load,
and Polish Ship Salvage Company owns the biggest
floatingcrane“Maja”of300tonscapacity(Fig.8).
Figure8. Polish Ship Salvage Company owns the biggest
floatingcrane“Maja”.Source:Pol‐MareLtd.
3.1 Pol‐MareLtd.intransportationofoversizedcargo
Pol‐Mare Ltd. forwarding consulting agency
specializes in comprehensive handling of oversized
cargoandhas beenactiveontheforwardingmarket
since2001[6].Pol‐MareLtd.specializeinhandlingof
transport strategic importance cargo, military and
hazardousonesofallclasses,andintransportationof
oversizedcargo(Fig.9).
Pol‐MareLtd.providescomprehensiveservicesof
oversized and heavy cargoes transportation –
equipment, structures, heavy machinery, etc. –
wherevertheymightbelocated.
Figure9. Pol‐Mare Ltd. specializes in transportation of
oversizedcargo‐militaryequipment.Source:Pol‐MareLtd.
Transportationofoversizedcargoisatask,where
oneislookingnotonlyforareliableservice,butalso
fortheonethathasspecializedknowledgeandlong‐
termexpertise.
Thisservicerequiresspecialequipment,thorough
advance planning and agreements, permits and
155
speciallytrainedstuff.Withtheoptimalcombination
ofthemostappropriatetransportationmodesfreight
is delivered quickly and safely even on the most
complexroutes.
Pol‐Mare Ltd. arranges transport for shipments,
bothdomesticandforeignin:hinterlandandsea.
During the whole forwarding process Pol‐Mare
Ltd. ensures a comprehensive superintendence of
loadingthecargo,itsfixing,andassistanceduringthe
transportation itself [5]. Pol‐Mare Ltd. collaborate
exclusively with the best sub‐contractors who were
checkedinrespectofreliabilityandqualityofservices
rendered by them, and in particular, in respect of
safety of the cargo entrusted to for transportation.
Confirmation of care Pol‐Mare Ltd. takes of the
highest standards is status of the Authorized
EconomicOperator(AEO)[2].
Basing on knowledge and experience Pol‐Mare
Ltd. offers an optimal selection of means of
transportation,completesuperintendenceofloading,
fixing,andrealizationofthecarriage.
Figure10. Pol‐Mare Ltd. specializes in transportation of
oversizedcargo‐shuntreactor.Source:Pol‐MareLtd.
Pol‐Mare Ltd. organizes in cooperation with the
ElpoServiceCompanymovingheavycargofromthe
meansoftransporttothereachof reloading devices
(and the other way round) with the hydraulic slide
method(Fig.10).
Pol‐Mare Ltd. realizes carriages using road,
railway, inland and sea means of transportation,
includingchartersofvessels.Inordertoensuresafety
ofthecargo,Pol‐MareLtd.makesuseofthehighest
qualityequipmentandlatesttechnologiesforloading
and fixing of cargo,what is the guarantee of high
quality of services rendered. As part of
comprehensive services Pol‐Mare Ltd. organizes
transport of, among other things, such cargoes as
oversized steel structures, hulls of vessels, heavy
machineryandmotorvehicles,equipmentforheavy,
mining and power industries (boilers, reactors,
turbines, transformers, gear transmissions, parts of
windtowers,etc.).Inseatransportofoversizedcargo
Pol‐Mare Ltd. renders comprehensive in ports
handlinginthescopeof:reloading,storageandfixing
theloadonvessels[4].
ExperiencedandwellqualifiedstaffPol‐MareLtd.
shall ensure professional realizations of services
tailoredtotheindividualneeds.
Pol‐Mare Ltd. also render complete ship agency
services. In order to ensure high standards of
handling strategic and military cargoes, has
implemented in Pol‐Mare Ltd. the quality
management system integrated with the Internal
Control System certified by the Polish Centre for
TestingandCertification(PCBCSA) and by Quality
Certification Centre of the Military University of
Technology(theAQAPCertificate).
Pol‐Mare Ltd. is a founder member of the Polish
InternationalFreightForwardersAssociation(PIFFA).
PIFFA is a voluntary self‐governing organization
associating the entrepreneurs who run economic
activity in the scope of services in international and
national freight forwarding, logistics, transport,
customs agencies as well as other services related
with
thegoodsturnover.TheAssociationactswithin
theterritoryoftheRepublicofPoland.
3.2 ElpoServiceCompanyinseaports
ElpoServiceCompanyhasbeenactiveonthemarket
since 1991 and specializes in solving technical
problems related to heavy objects transshipment
usinghydraulicsystems.Elpoprovidesitsservicesin
seaports,railwaydischarges, hallsandonrailorroad
bridges.
Moving bulky loads in ports is a very narrow
specialization,andtechnologiesusedinPolanddoes
not stand out from the global level. The biggest
challengesinthisfieldtakeonElpoServiceCompany
(Fig.11).
Figure11. Elpo Service Company specializes in
transportation of oversized cargo. Source: Elpo Service
Company
Thecompanyisequippedwithhydraulickitsand
differentaccessoriesthatcanbeconnectedtoanykind
of moving, lifting, spreading and pushing system,
whichensurethestabilityofperformedservices.
Hydraulic sliding system is built on the basis of
hydraulic Wheelchair slide, connected to hydraulic
liftcargo,andcanbe
movedontherespectivebeams.
Thisallowstoimplementprojectsinwhichtheuseof
a rigid system is inadvisable or impossible; sliding
movement is safer, faster, the system is also more
portable,becausethereisnoadditionalchargetoraise
itto put on the systemrigid, and most
importantly,
ensuresequaldistributionofpressureontheloadand
thegroundregardlessoftheinequality(Fig.12).
156
Figure12. Elpo Service Company specializes in
transportation of oversized cargo‐shunt reactor. Source:
ElpoServiceCompany
Elpo offers wide range of lifting & hydraulic
servicesfordifferentindustries:
hydraulic skidding systems for heavy items
repositioning,
hydrauliclifting&loweringsystemforlarge‐size
items,
machinesrepositioning,
hydraulicliftingsystemforbridgespans,
steel constructions, grips and beams strength
testing,
hydraulic &
tens metric heavy objects weighting
(Fig.13),
other services, which require using lifting
appliances.
Eachoversizecargoisamajorlogistics challenge
for shipping companies that need to have the
knowledge and means to achieve it. A separate
specialization in connection with the resolution of
problems related to the
movement of heavy and
bulky loads are in ports in discharges station, halls,
bridges,viaductsroadandrail.
In the case of Elpo highest load were towers
IMECA1and2producedbyEnergomontaż Gdynia
(their height reached more than 40 meters and
weighedapprox.800tonseach),the longestelement
loaded on the pontoon was a bridge designed to
connect two oil platforms, produced by the Gdynia
VISTAL (length 120 m, weight 1,100 tons), and the
heaviest load on the pontoon is weighing approx.
2,200tonshipbuiltalsobyVISTAL.
The traditional solution is the so called rigid
systems,
however,duringloadingbyslidingpiecesof
heavy and bulky loads applied hydraulic sliding
systembuiltonthenightHWS280,whichcombines
hydraulic systems. As a result, the company can
implementprojectswheretheuseofrigidsystemsis
inadvisableorimpossible.
Figure13. Elpo Service Company specializes in
transportationofoversizedcargo‐submarinetypeKobben.
Source:PolishNavalAcademy.
Thepracticealsoshowsthatthemovementofthe
hydraulicslidingsystemissecureandfaster,andthe
system is more mobile because there is no need to
raiseadditionalchargetoputitonthesystemrigid.It
also provides a uniform distribution of pressure on
theloadandthe
groundregardlessoftheshapeand
inequality.
4 CONCLUSIONS
The tra nsport of oversize cargoes has big impact to
economicdevelopmentineverycountrybutitisstill
verydifferentlyorganizedinseparatecountries.This
transportation of non‐standard cargo (oversize)
createsnon‐standardproblems.Some of Extra Large
oversize units
are being transported on special,
uniqueships,builtonpurpose.Ineverycase(during
loading and the sea passage) we have to take into
accountsuchpropertiesoftheloadasdistributionof
themassofthecargo,centreofgravityandcentreof
inertia of mass, transverse moments, torsion or
vibrationand stability of the carrier included. These
problemsaredifferentthaninotherkindoftransport.
To summarize, transport of oversize and heavy
cargobyseaarearrangedinthefollowingphases:
Loadingschemelayoutandmountingaboard.
Loadinglayoutandstocksecuringscheme.
Determinationof
oversizetypeanddegree
Verification and approval of loading and
mountingscheme.
Transportoptionsandroutecoordination.
Rolling stock and freight services reservation
(large time reserve required for irregular
transportations, and use of special purpose
transporterstock).
Thus many international regulations have to
followed when carrying the transport
oversize
cargoes. The biggest challenge when moving bulky
loads in ports is undoubtedly logistics. The work
mustbedoneefficientlyandsafely,oftenalsounder
the pressure of the deadline by which load should
leave the wharf. On the other hand, physics has its
lawsandspeedofbulkyloads
islow,installationand
dismantlingalsorequirestimeandoccupiesspace.
The most frequent question within the transport
processes is the question of safety. This question is
verycomplexandincludesalotofdetailedquestions
157
andanalyseswhichisnecessarytoconducttoanswer
the question of oversize transport safety factually,
precisely, simply but most of all on the basis of the
realdata.
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