Specialist logistics services provider Osprey has been tagged in by DHL Industrial Projects to move a marine loading arm across the river Medway in the United Kingdom. With DHL facing a critical deadline, it was of great importance to devise a tailor made solution for the transport. 

Sometimes the most obvious solution isn’t the most cost-effective, nor is it the most efficient way to transport critical assets. The loading arm was destined for a terminal that receives fuel from tanker vessels. The marine loading arm connects to those tankers’ manifolds and receives the aviation fuel securely from the vessel to storage tanks onshore. The component weighs 35 tonnes, is 21 metres long and its fabricated integrity needs protecting throughout the factory-to-foundation move.

Previously, these loading arms might have been transported and installed with a crane barge or sheer leg. However, the solution, designed by Osprey in conjunction with its client, involved using a vessel with two 150-ton cranes to load the marine loading arm, transporting it from Sheerness across the Medway – a 45-minute sailing – and berthing at the jetty. Then, having calculated the tide influences, Osprey lifted, upended, and installed the marine loading arm onto its foundations.

Osprey’s scope of work also included facilitation of site meetings with port authorities and subcontractors (such as agents and vessel owners), ensuring a smooth flow of information throughout the project. Engineering and documentation were completed with only two minor revisions to petrochemical QSHE standards. Osprey also worked with the vessel and produced a tide-critical lift plan, mooring arrangement, and installation methodology.

The project was completed within the critical timeframe as well as on budget which prompted DHL Industrial Projects and the end-user to award Osprey a second installation.