Staffordshire-based specialist shipping company Robert Wynn and Sons have delivered three 121-tonne transformers to Hinkley Point C’s Combwich Wharf onboard Terra Marique.

Their unique heavy lift ro/ro barge Terra Marique was loaded at the Mammoet Heavy Lift Terminal, Schiedam within the Port of Rotterdam earlier this month ahead of the sea passage through the English and Bristol Channels and along the River Parrett to its destination.

The Terra Marique is the first vessel to use EDF’s purpose-built facility following a multimillion-pound refurbishment ahead of its use as part of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station project. The 80 m x 16.5 m barge, which is flat bottomed and specifically designed to operate on NAABSA berths, manoeuvred under her own power onto the wharf.

The offloading operation of the three transformers, stowed on stands, was carried out by specialist transport provider Mammoet and all three transformers were rolled off on multi axle trailers in an operation that took less than 90 minutes to complete.

The transformers manufactured by Siemens Energy in Nuernberg, Germany are destined for the National Grid Shurton Substation, Somerset. This new substation will connect Hinkley Point C into the electricity network, delivering low carbon energy to the South West and connect to six million UK homes and businesses.

Robert Wynn & Sons General Manager, Andy Manners, coordinated the operation and said, “While the Terra Marique is purpose built for such operations, there are a number of factors unique to this operation that has meant that detailed planning and collective working was required to successfully carry out such a complex operation. The project was coordinated by Züst & Bachmeier Project GmbH who along with our engineers, crew and those from Mammoet, the Port of Bridgwater and EDF all worked together to ensure this project was delivered as planned.”