Project cargo of wind turbines to the Sundsvall container port

“In total, there are 12,000 tonnes to be handled. Thanks to the investments we have made in recent years, we are now equipped for really extensive project cargoes,” says Dennis Melarti, SCA Logistics Terminal Manager in Sundsvall. 

The wind turbine components have been manufactured in Asia and the company that ordered them is arranging shipment from there to Sundsvall, after which SCA Logistics will unload and store the cargo before onward shipping. Many of the components are enormous, placing additional demands on logistics. While certain components are large and unwieldy, others are extremely heavy. 

Wind-sensitive rotor blades

The cargo is split between four vessels, two of which have already arrived. The first had a cargo of 45 rotor blades. 
“Each blade is 85-metres long and weighs 30 tonnes. As well as being large, the blades are also wind-sensitive both during lifting and in storage. We planned meticulously and carried out a thorough risk assessment before the time came to handle them,” says Dennis. 
Unloading the blades required two cranes lifting in tandem. They were then loaded onto customised trailers to be transported a few hundred metres to the storage area. Unloading took almost a week. The second vessel contained parts of the towers, another cargo that required meticulous preparation. 
“The tower components are not as large, but they are extremely heavy. They weigh between 90 and 100 tonnes each,” says Dennis. 

Large storage areas

The remaining two vessels will be loaded with drivetrains and more tower components. All of the components should be on site in April, when they will occupy a storage area of approximately 40,000 square metres. 
“Having access to large storage areas is one of the benefits of the investments we have made in the new container port. An even larger area will be available in future. We have built embankments around 60,000 square metres and we will gradually be filling this in to create additional storage capacity,” says SCA Logistics Sales Manager Jonas Nilsson. 
Another benefit is that the quay now has a draught of 15 metres, making it the deepest on the Bothnian Sea. The quay is also very long and can accommodate vessels up to 250 metres in length. 
“Our investments mean that we can now offer an even better service and more types of logistical solutions. Project cargoes are an area that we will be focusing on even more in future, given that we now have entirely new opportunities to do so,” says Jonas. 

Complicated transport

Once the roads are free of snow, it will be time to proceed to the next stage of the wind farm project. The components will be shipped to Bräcke, 120 kilometres west of Sundsvall, where the wind farm is being constructed. This too is a logistical challenge given the size of the cargo. The rotor blades are so long that they cannot be driven out of the port along the usual route; instead, they will leave via the adjacent logistics park. 
“Having alternative routes is one of our strengths,” notes Dennis. 
 
SCA’s assignment will be complete when the components have been loaded onto the lorries that will transport them to Bräcke. Another company will then take over. 
“So far, everything has gone entirely according to plan. As with any assignment, the goal is to work safely and efficiently and deliver the cargo in good condition – and everything has gone smoothly,” says Dennis. “This type of project demands months of preparation. Planning, communication and coordination are the keys to success. And, of course, it requires the right equipment and expertise.” 

Text: Kerstin Olofsson
Photo: Håkan Sjödin