Vanguard recently accomplished the extraordinary logistical feat of transporting a massive 171-tonne, 50-meter-long cold box from Walvis Bay Port, Namibia, to a copper mine in Solwezi, Zambia.
The operation, described as one of remarkable complexity and precision, involved a 75-meter load combination weighing 338 tonnes, utilizing Goldhofer 8-axle and 11-axle trailers, prime movers, and 600-tonne capacity turntables in a push-pull configuration.
The cold box was staged at Walvis Bay Port in August 2024. Extensive route preparations, including roadworks and constructing 11 bypasses, were necessary to accommodate the load’s size. Modifications included navigating through mines and rerouting around bridges and congested suburbs.
Challenges
The 2,700-kilometer transport began in mid-October 2024 and lasted 45 days. The convoy faced extreme road conditions, traveling at speeds of just 2–5 km/h in some areas due to poor infrastructure and heavy congestion. Challenges included navigating bridges, towns, sharp corners, and border crossings.
The operation drew unexpected and massive public interest, particularly in Zambia. In towns like Livingstone and Lusaka, spectators gathered in overwhelming numbers, with Lusaka alone seeing an estimated one million onlookers, as per police reports. Vanguard worked closely with local authorities, employing over 500 police officers at certain points for crowd control and safe passage.
Vanguard’s team meticulously managed the logistics, ensuring stability and maneuverability throughout the journey. Despite the challenges, the cold box arrived at the mine site on November 25, 2024, and was successfully offloaded.
This operation not only underscores Vanguard’s expertise in heavy-haul logistics but also demonstrates the importance of meticulous planning and adaptability in addressing unforeseen challenges, from infrastructure adjustments to managing large-scale public interest.