Due to the standard top-to-tail orientation of wind blade shipping, components such as wind blades have often been delivered to specific port locations that are capable of either double handling each component that arrives in the incorrect orientation or that has extensive space to complete various shunt manoeuvres prior to arriving in laydown areas.
Vanguard have now brought a cost-effective solution to the market to overcome these challenges and provide increased efficiencies across port services sector. These innovative trailers are capable of receiving wind blades in either orientation and delivering the cargo to designated laydown areas, across tight quayside locations and with minimal disruption to the port.
The trailers have been designed with a drawbar at either end for efficient shunting purposes and can accommodate extensive wind blade overhangs when loaded in the reverse orientation. This allows the transport arrangement to proceed to laydown areas in much tighter spaces, without having to undergo extensive ground work or street furniture removal. The trailers can be mobilised at site/quayside using bespoke beams to allow for specific length configurations, with the first project having required the receiving and transportation of wind blades over 90m long.
The first ongoing project includes the receiving and transportation of 75 wind blades from the Port of Richards Bay to a laydown area outside the port, before being trans-shipped to Vanguards Scheuerle RBTS (Rotor Blade Transportation System) trailers and transported to a site approximately 500km away.
“Vanguard have provided consultancy from the initial concept, right through to the design and manufacturing of the trailers and it’s been great to see them in action and working so efficiently. Despite the challenging restrictions at the Port, the team have been able to efficiently receive and transport over 15 blades a day to the laydown area, regardless of the orientation.” Laura Hodgkinson, Senior Manager.
