Creative Logistics Solutions by Waterway
Transporting bridge components often presents unique logistical challenges, especially when unforeseen circumstances force changes to previously approved routes. A recent project underscored this reality once again: two bridge segments, each 27 meters long, were initially scheduled to travel by road from Spelle, a manufacturing site near the Dutch border, to an inland port on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, where they would be loaded onto an inland vessel and shipped to Andernach.
Similar transports had been successfully completed in the past year when direct road transports to various construction sites were impossible due to route restrictions. Flexible solutions emerged involving alternative ports and specialized inland vessels.
However, this time, plans had to be quickly adapted: just three weeks before the scheduled transport, the initially planned route became unusable—several bridges and construction sites along the way could no longer support heavy transports due to structural limitations. The previously granted permits were suddenly revoked, making not only the original inland port inaccessible but also rendering the already booked vessel unsuitable for the newly planned loading point in the Dutch border region due to its dimensions.
A new challenge emerged: the smaller inland port of Coevorden on the Dutch side was identified as a last-minute alternative, but it only allowed vessels up to 65 meters long and 6.60 meters wide. The originally booked 80-meter-long vessel was far too large, necessitating another solution.
In a very short period, our team developed an innovative alternative: instead of deploying two smaller ships, which would have been technically simpler, the inland vessel MS “Navare” was identified as suitable, combining compact dimensions with the ability to handle significant point loads. Using timber mats (baggermats), the two bridge segments were securely stacked and positioned for optimal weight distribution. With a total load of 306 tons distributed across four bearing points, the transport proceeded smoothly.
Thanks to this tailor-made solution, the bridge components were reliably, safely, and—most importantly—punctually transferred by mobile crane onto trucks at their final destination in Andernach.
This project once again highlights our commitment: even when faced with challenging constraints, we strive to develop robust solutions—flexible, reliable, and safe — all the way to the final destination. We are dedicated to finding the best possible route to address the logistical challenges faced by our clients.
Imagesource: Haeger & Schmidt Logistics