Playing a crucial role in Japan’s recovery

Playing a crucial role in Japan’s recovery

After the devastation of March’s earthquake and tsunami, Japan faced a third catastrophe when the Fukushima nuclear power plant lost all power for cooling, and its reactors started to overheat.

The Japanese government has since introduced regulations requiring any nuclear power plant to have power generation back-up; but, at the same time, Japan has been struggling with power shortages for months.

Allseas Global Logistics has recently played a crucial role in ensuring that a new US$40 billion nuclear power plant could begin operations.

The plant at Shimane was built and ready for operation, but could not be fired up until the required power generation back-up was in place.

At incredibly short notice, Allseas Global Logistics was required to transport:

·         2 x 71-tonne trailer-mounted generators: each 15.77 m long, 3.1 m wide, 4.95 m high.

·         2 x 45-tonne trailer-mounted generators: each 15.77 m long, 3.1 m wide, 4.95 m high.

·         1 x 35-tonne generator.

·         2 x 30-tonne equipment control rooms, each larger than a 40-ft container.

·         8 x 40-ft flatracks.

·         5 x 40-ft high-cube containers.

The various parts of the consignment were transported to Japan from locations in the Netherlands, UK and the United States.

“This was a highly complex project. But within days of receiving instructions, we had the first movements under way,” said Des Nott, Allseas Project Manager.

Allseas needed all of its creativity to overcome some significant challenges. For example, there were severe berth limitations at the nuclear power plant, where the quay can be up to 10 metres above sea level.

The trailers were first shipped to Xingang. For the voyage to Shimane, Allseas created a unique solution in which the trailers were mounted on Mafi trailers to be lifted on to the vessel. Bespoke ramps, beams, spreader frame, steel straps and pennants were all designed and manufactured for the task.

“We had to move incredibly fast to meet the deadlines laid down by the client and ensure that the Shimane nuclear power plant could open, delivering much-needed power into the Japanese grid,” said Allseas Global Logistics Managing Director Andrew Morris.