Record breaking girder frame transport

Specialized transport company Allelys has completed the transport of four units from Belfast Harbour to Kilroot Power Station in Northern Ireland. The four units comprised two turbines weighing 317 tonnes each and two generators weighing 370 tonnes each.

The generators arrived into Belfast from the USA and while the turbines arrived from mainland Europe (Photo: Allelys)

The generators set a new record for the heaviest loads to be transported on Northern Ireland’s road network.

The generators arrived into Belfast from the USA and the turbines arrived from Europe.

All four were offloaded via geared vessel onto Allelys trailers positioned in the harbour, transported to a temporary storage area and stooled off.

In preparation for transport, one turbine and one generator were then brought out of storage using self propelled modular transporter (SPMT) and the girder frames built around the units.

The generators set a new record for the heaviest loads to be transported on Northern Ireland’s road network (Photo: Allelys)

The Faktor 5 in 28 axle configuration was used for the generator and the Faktor 5.5 in 28 axle configuration for the turbine.

The two units were then transported in convoy during a night move to Kilroot Power Station.

“This project demonstrates Allelys expertise in heavy lift and specialist transport,” said Richard Beardmore, senior commercial manager at Allelys. “The business has continued to invest in the latest equipment to be able to offer a full-service solution to industry leading projects such as this.”

At site the generator was trans-shipped back onto SPMT, transported to the turbine hall, lifted with a four-point lift system, then lowered onto its foundation. The same process was repeated with the turbine.

The team then travelled back to Belfast to load the remaining two units and repeat the transportation and installation phases.

The four units comprised two turbines weighing 317 tonnes each and two generators weighing 370 tonnes each (Photo: Allelys)