Tunnel boring machines (TBM) weighing 1,306 metric tons in total have recently found their way from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Express Forwarding Services was tasked with handling the delivery of 68 units for the Turkey-headquartered Mapa Group.

The shipment included moving the 68 units which included TBMs and accessories from Taif city, approximately 200 kilometres to the Jeddah Islamic Port, where they were loaded on a breakbulk charter vessel. Equipment was transported using seven hydraulic low beds, 23 low beds, and 29 flatbed trailers.

EFS, part of the WCA Projects alliance, was tasked with loading, lashing and securing, land transportation customs clearance and export freight. During the operation the Saudi freight forwarded faced improper road connectivity to the hill station where the TBMs were loaded.

The equipment required direct delivery, however, the current capacity crunch in the shipping market meant that the chartered vessel’s arrival was delayed. This required the TBMs and accessories to be stored temporarily at the terminal. Once the vessel did arrive the the loading operation was completed within the agreed timeframe.