The total shipment weighs in at 840 tons and measures 6200m³. Sixty-three trucks were loaded to transport the equipment of which 42 are abnormal out-of-gauge loads, four of which are superloads up to 9.54m wide. These had to be loaded onto a mix of 100 ton lowbeds, step decks and extendable trailers. The balance of the loads were made up of tri-axles and superlinks truck tractor articulated vehicles.
The shipment arrived in Saldanha Port on 6 November from the Far East on a special charter vessel and is the biggest project shipment ever handled by the port.
The abnormal load project is subject to the issuing of permits by the Department of Transport and Public Works. The loads needed to be staggered in such a way to keep the disruption of general traffic flows to a minimum. Provincial traffic escorts are required to ensure the safety of other road users. The most challenging part of the route is Piekenierskloof Pass. Route surveys and traffic accommodation plans have had to be carried out prior to the transportation of the larger loads, and in the case of the superloads, which are currently underway, periodical closure of the roads are necessary.
